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Westminster  Assembly  (1643 

1652) 
.The  Westminster  Assembly's 

Shorter  catechism 


THE 


WESTMINSTER  ASSEMBLY'S  SHORTER  CATECHISM. 


WITH  WHICH  IS  INCORPORATED 


A  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM 


METHOD  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY'S; 


REV.  MATTHEW  HENRY,  V.  D.  1. 

Carefully  transcribed  from  the  last  London  Edition  of  the 
Miscellaneous  IVorks  of  that  venerable  author.  The  first 
complete  American  Edition;  in  -which,  the  errors  of  the 
Press,  found  in  the  London  Edition,  are  carefully  corrected: 

By  the  Rev.  Colin  Mclver,  V.  D.  M. 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. : 
PUBLISHED   BY  FRANKLIN  MERRILL, 

1846. 


RECOMMENDATION. 

The  Scripture  Catechism  of  the  Rev.  Mat- 
thew Henry,  a  new  edition  of  which  is  now  pre- 
sented to  the  Christian  Public,  is  a  work  calcula- 
ted to  he  universally  useful  in  increasing  the 
knowledge  and  confirming  the  faith  of  all  who 
will  study  it  with  diligence  and  prayer.  Few 
persons  who  ever  lived,  could  have  produced  such 
a  work ;  if  the  numerous  questions  contained  in  it 
had  been  set  down  without  answers,  scarcely  any 
one  would  have  conceived  it  possible  to  furnish 
pertinent  answers  to  the  whole  of  them,  in  the 
precise  words  of  Holy  Scripture.  Indeed,  I  have 
never  looked  into  this  Catechism  without  feeling 
an  agreeable  surprise,  in  observing  the  perfection 
of  Scriptural  knowledge  which  it  manifests.  Cat- 
echisms possess  no  authority  but  what  they  derive 
from  the  Bible:  how  important  then  is  it,  that 
those  who  adopt  the  Westminster  Shorter  Cate- 
chism, should  be  acquainted  with  the  proof-texts, 
on  which  every  doctrine  rests  ?  And  where  can 
we  find  these  proofs  so  judiciously  arranged,  and 
so  pertinently  applied,  as  in  this  Scripture  Cate- 
chism ?  I  do  therefore  cordially  recommend  it  to 
all  pastors,  parents,  and  others  engaged  in  giving 
religious  instruction  to  the  rising  generation. 

A.  ALEXANDER. 

Princeton,  N.  J..  Nov.  12,  1846. 


THE  AMERICAN  EDITOR'S  PREFACE. 


The  assertion  in  the  title  page,  that  this  is  the 
first  complete  American  Edition  of  the  venerable 
Mr.  Henry's  Scripture  Catechism,  may,  perhaps, 
be  called  in  question,  by  some  who  may  have  seen 
a  small  volume,  published  in  the  year  1835,  by 
Messrs.  Griffin  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  under  the 
title  of  "  The  Catechism  of  the  Westminster  Di- 
vines ;  with  Scriptural  questions  and  answers,  by 
the  Rev.  Matthew  Henry,  D.D.,  Author  of  the 
commentary  on  the  Bible."  But,  whoever  will 
take  the  trouble  of  comparing  that  volume,  with 
the  "  Scripture  Catechism  "  of  Mr.  Henry  as  pub- 
lished  in  his  "  Miscellaneous  Works,"  will  find, 
that  the  volume  published  by  Messrs.  Griffin  & 
Co.,  is  nothing  more  than  a  meagre  collection  of 
-extracts  from  what  was  originally  published  by 
the  venerable  author. 

In  this  edition,  the  typographical  errors,  found 
in  the  London  Edition,  are  carefully  corrected- 
The  "  Shorter  Catechism,"  which  Mr.  Henry,  in 
this  work,  has  beautifully  illustrated  in  the  lan- 
guage of  scripture,  is  here  presented,  in  the  very 
words  of  the  Westminster  Divines.  This  is  here 
mentioned,  inasmuch  as,  in  the  London  Edition  ot 
this  work,  there  are  to  be  found  some  few  devia- 
tions from  the  language  employed  by  the  West- 
minster Divines,  though  none  of  them  are  such  as 


vi  The  American  Editors  Preface. 

to  affect  the  sentiment.  Of  the  illustrative  ques- 
tions and  answers  contained  in  the  London  Edi- 
tion, one  only  is,  in  this  edition,  omitted.  This  is 
done,  under  an  impression  which  is  believed  to  be 
well  founded,  that  the  question  and  answer  here 
alluded  to,  was  never  written  by  Mr.  Henry ;  but 
was,  in  some  unaccountable  way,  interpolated  into 
the  London  Edition  of  this  work.  If  inquiry  be 
made  into  the  ground  of  this  supposition,  the  reply 
to  such  inquiry  must  be,  that  the  question  and 
answer  here  referred  to,  considered  in  connexion, 
exhibit  a  palpable  misapplication  of  a  text  of 
scripture,  and  convey  an  erroneous  sentiment, 
which  is  flatly  contradicted,  in  other  parts  of  Mr. 
Henry's  published  works. 

The  Editor  deems  it  unnecessary  to  add  any- 
thing, commendatory  of  the  following  pages.  The 
well  established  reputation  of  the  author,  is  a  suf- 
ficient recommendation  to  all  the  productions  of 
his  pen.  May  the  Divine  blessing  accompany  the 
publication  of  this  Edition. 


THE  AUTHOR'S  PREFACE, 


We  are  very  happy  (I  know)  in  catechisms, 
which,  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  valley  of  vision, 
will  be  either  the  means  of  knowledge,  or  the 
shame  of  ignorance.  The  variety  of  these  forms 
of  sound  words,  while  they  all  speak  for  substance 
the  same  thing,  and  are  all  built  upon  the  founda- 
tion of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  derogates  not 
at  all  from  the  honour  of  the  Christian  doctrine, 
but  rather  (like  the  setting  up  of  several  candles 
i  n  the  same  room)  help  to  diffuse  the  light,  and 
make  it  stronger.  Many  very  excellent  exposi- 
tions we  have  both  of  the  Church  Catechism  and 
of  the  Assembly's,  and  an  ancient  and  profitable 
one  of  Mr.  Ball's ;  and  yet  some  encourage  me  to 
hope,  that  this  essay,  which  is  in  a  way  not  hith- 
erto used,  that  I  know  of,  will  be  found  not  alto- 
gether useless.  Two  things  I  aim  at  in  it :  one 
is.  to  put  the  catechism  into  such  a  dress,  as  to 
make  it  (if  possible)  both  easy  and  copious,  so  as 
that  it  may  not  be  an  insuperable  task  to  the 
learner,  and  yet  may  furnish  him  with  plenty  of 
useful  knowledge.  The  bulk  of  it  (which  some- 
what exceeds  my  first  intentions)  rfiows  it  to  be 
copious ;  and  yet  I  think  it  is  macle  very  easy,  by 
breaking  of  it  into  so  many  short  questions,  and 
those  answered  by  Yes  or  No,  which  the  learner 
may  at  first  content  hmse  If  with,  the  teacher,  if 


viii  The  Authors  Preface. 

he  pleases,  reading  the  proofs ;  and,  by  degrees, 
the  learner,  who  is  willing  to  take  a  little  pains, 
and  begins  to  be  versed  in  the  Scriptures,  will 
iind  it  no  great  difficulty  to  charge  his  memory 
with  most  of  the  proofs  annexed,  which  the  ques- 
tion oftentimes  easily  introduces,  and  which,  by 
frequent  use,  will  in  time  become  familiar.  I  re- 
member to  have  seen  an  Explanation  of  the  As- 
sembly's Shorter  Catechism,  (and  I  think  it  was  the 
first  that  ever  was  published)  by  a  great  man,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Wallis,  of  Oxford,  which  was  done  by 
breaking  the  propositions  of  the  catechism  in 
short  questions  (as  this)  with  Yes  ox  JNo.  That 
performance,  though  very  short,  was  an  excellent 
precedent,  directing  to  a  method  of  catechising, 
which  has  been  of  good  use  to  enrich  the  under- 
standing of  the  learners,  without  overloading  their 
memories.  The  text  subjoined  here  will  shew 
that  cur  Yea  is  yea,  and  our  Nay,  nay.  To  make 
this  the  more  easy,  the  several  sections  under 
each  article  may  be  allotted  to  several  catechu- 
mens. 

But  another  thing  I  aim  at,  (and  indeed  the 
chief,)  is  to  promote  the  knowledge  of  the  scrip- 
tures. Divine  truths,  methinks,  sound  best  in 
divine  language ;  and  the  things  which  God  has 
revealed  to  us  by  his  Spirit,  cannot  be  conveyed 
in  a  more  safe  and  proper  vehicle,  than  by  the 
'•words  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teaches,  (1  Cor.  ii. 
10, 13, )  which,  though  I  would  be  far  from  super- 
-stitiously  tying  myself  or  others  to,  yet,  I  confess, 
I  cannot  but  think  they  should  be  preferred.  J 
have  often  observed  how  the  evangelist  rectifies 


The  Author's  Preface.  ix 

a  mistake  which  rose  upon  a  saying  of  Christ's. 
only  by  repeating  the  word  spoken,  John  xxi.  23. 
He  said  not,  He  shall  not  die  ;  but,  if  I  will  that 
he  tarry  till  I  come,  jchat  is  that  to  thee  ?  He 
said  so,  and  no  more  ;  add  thou  not  to  his  words. 
We  are  directed  not  only  to  think,  but  to  speak, 
according  to  his  word.  lsa.  viii.  20. 

It  is  especially  profitable  to  acquaint  children 
betimes  with  their  bibles,  and  to  shew  them  their 
religion  there.  Timothy's  Catechism  was  the 
Scripture  which  he  knew  from  his  very  infancy. 
2  Tim.  iii.  15.  They  who  are  ready  and  mighty 
in  the  Scriptures,  will  be  thoroughly  furnished  for 
every  good  work,  and  thoroughly  fortified  against 
every  evil  work.  What  I  have  here  endeavored, 
may,  (I  hope)  prove  a  good  expedient  for  this  pur- 
pose, obliging  myself  to  produce  a  text  of  Scrip- 
ture for  every  question,  it  cannot  be  thought  they 
should  be  alike  apposite.  Perhaps  here  and  there 
one  may  be  found  that  is  diverted  from  its  primary 
intention  by  an  allusion  only,  (which  I  think  is 
warranted  by  diverse  of  the  New  Testament  quo- 
tations out  of  the  Did.)  yet  I  hope  there  is  none 
perverted.  Were  we  more  conversant  with  the 
inspired  writings,  we  should  (as  one  of  the  ancients 
speaks,)  "  adore  the  fulness  of  the  Scriptures.  I 
have  quoted  the  texts  as  concisely  as  I  could,  in 
hopes  the  diligent  reader,  who  searches  the  Scrip- 
ture daily,  will  be  stirred  up  to  look  further  into 
the  places  referred  to,  which  he  will  often  find 
very  well  worth  his  while.  To  that  end,  I  have 
throughout  added  the  book,  chapter,  and  verse, 
which  yet  it  is  needless  for  them  who  learn  by 
heart,  to  trouble  themselves  with. 


x  The  Author' s  Preface. 

To  the  service  of  such  ministers,  governors  of 
families,  and  other  Christians,  as  shall  see  cause 
to  make  use  of  such  a  help,  with  an  entire  depend- 
ance  upon  the  grace  and  blessing  of  God,  for  the 
acceptableness  and  usefulness  of  it,  this  small 
oblation  is  humbly  tendered,  by  one  who  is  ear- 
nestly desirous  to  increase  in  Scripture  knowl- 
edge, and  ambitious  of  the  honor  of  being  any  way 
instrumental  to  propagate  it. 

Matthew  Henry 


Postscript  to  the  Third  Edition. 

I  am  willing  to  take  this  opportunity  to  advise 
one  thing  more  concerning  the  use  of  this  Cate- 
chism, which  I  have  found  very  beneficial,  viz : 
That  the  learners  be  put  in  their  answers  to  turn 
the  question  into  a  proposition,  which  they  will 
easily  do  with  a  little  direction.  Example, — Is 
man  a  reasonable  creature  ?  Yes :  man  is  a  reason- 
able creature ;  for  there  is  a  spirit  in  man?  &c. 
And  this  will  lead  them,  when  the  question  gives 
occasion  for  it,  to  make  application  to  themselves. 
Again,  is  it  your  business  in  the  world  to  serve 
the  flesh?  No :  it  is  not  my  business  in  the  world 
to  serve  the  flesh ;  for  we  are  not  debtors  to  the 
lesh. 


THE 

WESTMINSTER  ASSEMBLY'S  SHORTER  CATECHISM, 

WITH    WHICH    IS    INCORPORATED 

The  Scripture  Catechism  of  the  Rev.  Matthew  Henry. 


1.  Q.  What  is  the  chief  end  of  man? 
Ji.  Man's  chief  end  is  to  glorify  God,  and  to 
enjoy  him  forever. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  man  a  reasonable  creature  1 

A.  Yes :  for  there  is  a  spirit  in  man,  and  the  inspiration  of 
the  Almighty  giveth  him  understanding.     Job  xxxii.  8. 

2.  Q.  Has  he  greater  capacities  than  the  brutes? 

A.  Yes :  for  God  teacheth  us  more  than  the  heasts  of  the 
earth,  and  maketh  us  wiser  than  the  fowls  of  Heaven.  Job 
xxxv.  11. 

$n. 

1.  Q.  Is  man  his  own  maker? 

A.  No:  it  is  God  that  hath  made  us,  and  not  we  ourselves. 
Psalms  c.  3. 

2.  Q.  Is  he,  then,  his  own  master  ? 

A.  No:  there  is  a  Lord  over  us.  Ps.  xii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  his  own  carver? 

A.  No :  should  it  be  according  to  thy  mind  ?  Job  xxxiv.  33. 
4«  Q-  Is  he  his  own  end? 

A.  No :  for  none  of  us  lives  to  himself,  or  dies  to  himself. 
Rom.  xiv.  7. 

§  III. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  your  business  in  the  world  to  serve  the  flesh? 
A.  No:  for  we  are  not  debtors  to  the  flesh,  that  we  should 

live  after  the  flesh.  Rom.  viii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  to  pursue  the  world? 


2  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No:  for  we  are  not  of  the  world.  John  xvii.  16. 
§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  your  happiness  bound  up  in  the  creature] 

A.  No:  for  all  is  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit.  Eccl.  i.  14. 

2.  Q.  Will  the  riches  of  the  world  make  you  happy  ? 

A.  No:  for  a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in  the  abundance  of 
the  things  which  he  possesseth.  Luke  xii.  15. 

3.  Q.  Will  the  praise  and  applause  of  men  make  you  happy  1 
A.  No:  for  it  is  vain  glory.  Gal.  v.  26. 

4.  Q.  Will  sport  and  pleasure  make  you  happy  ? 

A.  No:  for  the  wise  man  said  of  laughter,  It  is  mad,  and  of 
mirth,  What  doeth  it?  Eccl.  ii.  2. 

5.  Q.  Can  the  gain  of  the  world  make  you  happy  ? 

A.  No:  for  what  is  a  man  profited,  if  he  gain  the  whole 
world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  Matt.  xvi.  26, 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Is  God,  then,  your  chief  end? 

A.  Yes:  for  of  him,  and  through  him,  and  to  him  are  all 
things.  Rom.  xi.  36. 

2.  Q.  Were  you  made  for  him  ? 

A.  Yes:  this  people  have  I  formed  for  myself.  Isa.  xliii.  21. 

3.  Q.  Were  you  redeemed  for  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  ye  are  not  your  own,  for  ye  are  bought  with  a 
price.  1  Cor.  vi.  19,  20. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  your  chief  business  to  glorify  God? 

A.  Yes :  we  must  glorify  God  in  our  body  and  in  our  spirit, 
which  are  God's.  1  Cor.  vi.  20. 

2.  Q.  Must  this  be  ultimately  designed  in  all  our  actions? 
A.  Yes:  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God.  1  Cor.  x.  31. 

3.  Q.  Is  God  glorified  by  our  praises? 

A.  Yes:  he  that  offers  praise,  glorifies  God.  Ps.  L  23. 

4.  Q.  And  is  he  glorified  by  our  works? 

A.  Yes :  herein  is  my  Father  glorified,  that  ye  bear  much 
fruit.  John  xv.  8. 

$  vn. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  your  chief  good  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  happy  is  the  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord.  Ps. 
cxliv.  15. 

2.  Q.  Does  all  good  come  from  him? 

A.  Yes:  for  with  him  is  the  fountain  of  life.  Ps.  xxxvi.  9. 
-     3.  Q.  And  is  all  good  enjoyed  in  him? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  3 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  is  the  portion  of  my  inheritance,  and  of 
my  cup.  Ps.  xvi.  5. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  your  chief  happiness,  then,  to  have  God's  favour  1 
A.  Yes :  for  in  his  favour  is  life.  Ps.  xxx.  5. 

3.   Q.  Is  that  the  most  desirable  good? 

A.  Yes :  for  his  loving  kindness  is  better  than  life.  Ps.  lxiii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Do  you  desire  it  above  any  good? 

A.  Yes :  Lord  lift  thou  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  us. 
Ps.  iv.  6*. 

4.  Q.  And  should  you  give  all  diligence  to  make  it  sure  ? 
A.  Yes :  herein  we  labour,  that  whether  present  or  absent, 

we  may  be  accepted  of  the  Lord.  2  Cor.  v.  9. 
§  IX. 

1%  Q.  Is  communion  with  God  in  grace  here  the  best  plea- 
sure ? 

A.  Yes :  it  is  good  for  me  to  draw  near  to  God.  Ps.  lxxiii. 
2S, 

2.  Q.  Is  the  vision  and  fruition  of  God  in  glory  hereafter  the 
best  portion  1 

A.  Yes:  for  in  his  presence  there  is  fulness  of  joy.  Ps.  xvi.  11. 

3.  Q.  Will  you,  therefore,  set  your  heart  upon  this  chief 
good] 

A.  Yes:  Lord,  whom  have  I  in  Heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there 
is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee,  when  my  flesh  and 
my  heart  fail,  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion 
for  ever.  Ps.  lxxiii.  25,  26. 

II.  Q  What  rule  hath  God  given  to  direct  us 
how  we  may  glorify  and  enjoy  him  ? 

'of.  The  word  of  God  (which  is  contained  in 
the  scriptures  of  the  Did  and  New  Testament) 
is  the  oniy  rule  to  direct  us  how  we  may  glorify 
and  enjoy  him. 

§  i. 

1.  Q.  Do  we  need  a  rule  to  direct  us  to  our  chief  end! 

A.  Yes:  for  we  all,  like  sheep,  have  gone  astray.  Isaliii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Could  we  not  find  it  out,  of  ourselves  1 

A.  No :  for  man  is  born  like  the  wild  ass's  colt.  Job  xi.  12. 

1.  Q.  Is  divine  revelation  necessary  to  religion? 


4  SCRIPTTJRB    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for  faith  comes  by  hearing  and  hearing  by  the  word 
of  God.  Rom.  x.  17. 

2.  Q.  Is  not  the  light  of  nature  sufficient  without  it  ? 

A.  No :  for  the  world,  by  wisdom,  knew  not  God.    1  Cor. 
i.  21. 

3.  Q.  Has  God,  therefore,  given  us  a  revelation  ? 

A.  Yes:  He  hath  shewed  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good.  Mic. 
vi.  8. 

4.  Q.  Was  there  revelation  from  the  beginning? 

A.  Yes :  at  sundry  times,  and  in  divers  manners,  God  spake 
unto  the  fathers.  Heb.  i.  1. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  the 
word  of  God,  and  a  divine  revelation  1 

A.  Yes :  for  all  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God.  2 
Tim.  hi.  16. 

2.  Q.  Were  they  indited  by  the  blessed  Spirit  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by 
the  Holy  Ghost.  2  Pet.  i.  21. 

3.  Q.  Were  they  confirmed  by  miracles  ? 

A.  Yes:  God  also  bearing  them  witness  both  with  signs  and 
wonders.     Heb.  ii.  4. 

4.  Q.  Do  they  recommend  themselves  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  word  of  God  is  quick  and  powerful.  Heb. 
iv.  12. 

5.  Is  not  the  Bible,  then,  a  cheat,  put  upon  the  world  ? 

A.  No :  for  these  are  not  the  words  of  him  that  hath  a  devil. 
John  x.  21. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Was  the  book  of  scripture  wit  ten  for  our  use  ? 

A.  Yes:  whatsoever  things  were    written   aforetime,  were 
written  for  our  learning.  Rom.  xv.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  is  it  of  great  use  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  it  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  cor- 
rection, for  instruction  in  righteousness.  2  Tim.  iii.  1 6. 
§  v. 

1.  Q.  Are  the  scriptures  the  great  support  of  our  religion? 
A.  Yes:  for  we  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles 

and  prophets.  Ephes.  ii.  20. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  the  standing  rule  of  our  faith  and  practice  ? 
A.  Yes :  We  must  have  recourse  to  the  law  and  to  the  testi- 
mony. Isa.  viii.  20. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  5 

3.  Q.  Are  they  the  only  rule? 

A.  Yes:  for  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay.  1  Cor.  iii.  2. 

4.  Q.  Are  they  our  guide'? 

A.  Yes :  for  the   commandment  is  a  lamp,  and  the  law  is 
light.  Prov.  vi.  23. 

5.  Q.  Do  they  shew  us  the  way  to  Heaven  and  happiness  1 
A.  Yes :  for  in  them  we  think  we  have  eternal  life ;  and  they 

are  they  which  testify  of  Christ.  John  v.  39. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Are  the  scriptures  our  oracle  which  we  must  consult? 
A.  Yes:  what  is  written  in  the  law!     How  readest  thou  1 

Luke  x.  26. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  our  touch-stone  which  we  must  try  by  1 

A.  Yes :  if  they  speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because 
there  is  no  light  in  them.  Isa.  viii.  20. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  the  weapons  of  our  spiritual  warfare  1 

j-\  Yes:  get  thee  hence,  Satan,  for  it  is  written.  Matt.  iv.  10; 
Ephes.  vi.  17. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  written  word  a  sufficient  rule  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect.  Ps.  xix.  7. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  plain  I 

A.  Yes:  for  the  word  is  nigh  thee.  Rom.  x.  8. 

3.  Q.  Is  the  church's  authority  the  rule  of  our  faith  1 

A.  No :  for  our  faith  should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men. 
1  Cor.  ii.  5. 

4.  Q.  May  we  depend  upon  unwritten  traditions  ] 

A.  No:  for  we  must  refuse  profane  and  old  wives'  fables. 
1  Tim.  iv.  7. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Will  the  written  word  be  the  rule  of  our  judgment 
hereafter  1 

A.  Yea :  for  we  must  be  j  udged  by  the  law  of  liberty.  James 
ii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  be  ruled  by  it  now  1 

A.  Yes:  as  many  as  walk  according  to  this  rule,  peace  shall 
be  on  them.  Gal.  vi.  16. 

3.  Q.  And  to  be  comforted  by  it  1 

A.  Yes :  for  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  scriptures, 
we  have  hope.  Rom.  xv.  4. 

y  IX. 

1.  Q.  Are  the  scriptures  to  be  translated  into  vulgar  tongues  1 


6  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for  we  should  hear  them  speak,  in  our  tongues,  the 
wonderful  works  of  God.  Acts  ii.  11. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  study  them  1 

A.  Yes :  search  the  scriptures.  John  y.  39. 

3.  Q.  And  labour  to  understand  them  1 

A.  Yes :  understandest  thou  what  thou  readest  ?  Acts  viii. 
30. 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  rest  satisfied  with  this  revelation  of  God's 
wilH 

A.  Yes :  for  if  we  believe  not  Moses  and  the  prophets,  neither 
would  we  be  persuaded  though  one  rose  from  the  dead.  Luke 
xvi.  31. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  great  affront  to  God  to  neglect  his  word  1 

A.  Yes :  I  have  written  unto  them  the  great  things  of  my 
law,  but  they  were  counted  as  a  strange  thing.  Hos.  viii.  12. 

*X. 

1 .  Q.  Must  little  children  get  the  knowledge  of  the  scripture  1 
A.  Yes :  Timothy  is  commended  for  this,  thai  from  a  child 

he  knew  the  holy  scriptures.  2  Tim.  hi.  15. 

2.  Q.  And  mjjst  their  pai-ents  instruct  them  therein  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  must  teach  them  diligently  unto  their  children 
and  talk  of  them.  Deut.  vi.  7. 

§XI. 

1 .  Q.  Must  we  all  love  the  word  of  God  1 

A.  Yes :  O  how  love  I  thy  law  !  Ps.  cxix.  97. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  meditate  therein  1 

A.  Yes:  it  is  my  meditation  all  the  day.  Ps.  cxix.  97. 

3.  Q.  And  will  this  be  to  our  own  advantage  1 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  able  to  make  us  wise  to  salvation.  2  Tim. 
hi.  15. 

III.  Q.  What  do  the  scriptures  principally 
teach  ? 

*d.  The  scriptures  principally  teach,  what 
man  is  to  believe  concerning  God,  and  what 
duty  God  requires  of  man. 

**• 

1.   Q.  Is  it  necessary  that  we  have  a  faith  concerning  God] 
A.  Yes :  for  he  that  comes  to  God  must  believe  that  he  is, 

and  that  he  is  the  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him. 

Heb.  xi.  6. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  7 

2.  Q.  Can  we  have  that  faith  without  being  taught  1 

A.  No :  for  how  shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they 
have  not  heard  1  Rom.  x.  14. 

3.  Q.  And  have  they  not  heard  1 

A.  Yes :  verily  their  sound  went  into  all  the  earth,  and  their 
words  to  the  ends  of  the  world.  Rom.  x.  18. 

1.  Q.  Is  not  the  knowledge  of  God  a  great  privilege  1 

A.  Yes :  for  this  is  life  eternal,  to  know  thee  the  only  true 
God.  John  xvii.  3. 

2.  Q.  Is  re  not  the  best  knowledge .1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  knowledge  of  the  Holy  is  understanding. 
Prov.  ix.  10. 

3.  Q.  Does  the  scripture  teach  us  that  knowledge  1 

A.  Yes :  for  if  we  receive  those  words,  and  hide  those  com- 
mandments with  us,  then  shall  we  understand  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  and  find  the  knowledge  of  God.  Prov.  ii.  1,  5. 
§  III. 

1 .  Q.  Do  not  the  works  of  creation  prove  that  there  is  a  God  1 
A.  Yes :  for  we  understand  by  the  things  that  are  made,  his 

eternal  power  and  Godhead.  Rom.  i.  20. 

2.  Q.  And  do.  not  the  works  of  Providence  prove  it  1 

A.  Yes :  for  verily  there  is  a  God  that  judgeth  in  the  earth. 
Ps.  lviii.  11. 

3.  Q.  But  do  not  the  scriptures  tell  us  best  what  God  is  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  no  man  hath  seen  God  at  any  time,  the  only 

begotten  Son,  which  is  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father,  he  hath  de- 
clared him.  John  i.  18. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  all  concerned  to  get  the  knowledge,  of  God  1 
A.  Yes :  We  should  all  know  him,  from  the  least  even  to,  the 

greatest.  Heb.  viii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Must  children  get  that  knowledge  1 

A.  Yes:  I  write  unto  you,  little  children,  because  you  have 
known  the  Father.  1  John  ii.  13. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  all  grow  in  that  knowledge  1 

A.  Yes  s  We  must  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord.  Hos.  vL  3# 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to,  believe  what  the  scripture  reveals  concerning 
God? 

A.  Yes :  for  these  things  are  written  that  we  may  believe  * 
John  xx.  31* 


8  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

2.  Q.  And  mitst  we  believe  all  that  the  scripture  reveals  ? 
A.  Yes :  believing  all  things  which  are  written  in  the  law 

and  the  prophets.  Acts.  xxiv.  14. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  believe  that  which  is  not  revealed  ? 

A.  No  :  for  the  things  of  God  knows  no  man,  but  the  Spirit 
of  God.  1  Cor.  ii.  11. 

§vi. 

1.  Q.  Does  God  require  duty  of  man? 

A.  Yes :  for  unto  man  he  said,  Behold  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
that  is  wisdom ;  and  to  depart  from  evil,  that  is  understanding. 
Job.  xxviii.  28. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  enough  to  believe  the  truth  revealed,  if  we  do  not 
the  duty  that  is  required  ? 

A.  No :  for  faith  without  works  is  dead.  James  ii.  26. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  enough  to  do  the  duty  required,  though  we  do  not 
believe  the  truth  revealed  ? 

A.  No :  for  he  that  believeth  not  God,  hath  made  him  a  liar. 
1  John  v.  10. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  scripture  teach  us  what  duty  God  requires? 
A.  Yes :  he  hath  showed  thee  what  the  Lord  thy  God  re- 
quires of  thee.  Mic.  vi.  8. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  do  the  duty  that  the  scripture  teaches  ? 
A.  Yes:   we   must   observe  to  do  according  to  all  that  is 

written  therein,  and  not  turn  from  it  to  the  right  hand,  or  to  the 
left.  Josh,  i .  7. 

3.  Q.  Must  this  obedience  always  accompany  faith  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  which  have  believed  in  God  must  be  careful 
to  maintain  good  works.  Tit.  iii.  8. 

IV.   Q     What  is  God? 

Jl.  God  is  a  Spirit,  infinite,  eternal  and  un- 
changeable in  his  being,  wisdom,  power,  holi- 
ness, justice,  goodness,  and  truth. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  a  Spirit? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  himself  has  said,  God  is  a  Spirit.  John  iv. 
24. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  a  pure  Spirit? 

A.  Yes :  for  God  is  light,  and  with  him  is  no  darkness  at  all. 
1  John  i.  5. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  9 

3.  Q.  Has  he  a  body  as  we  have  7 

A.  No :  Hast  thou  eyes  of  flesh  7  or  seest  thou  as  a  man 
seeth  7  Job  x.  4. 

4.  Q.  Can  he  be  seen  with  bodily  eyes  7 

A.  No  :  for  he  is  one  whom  no  man  hath  seen,  or  can  see. 
1  Tim.  vi.  16. 

5.  Q.  Are  not  the  angels  spirits  7 

A.  Yes :  He  maketh  his  angels  spirits.  Ps.  civ.  4. 

6.  Q.  Are  not  the  souls  of  men  spirits  7 

A.  Yes :  for  he  formeth  the  spirit  of  man  within  him.  Zech. 
xii.  1. 

7.  Q.  But  is  God  a  spirit  like  unto  them? 

A.  No :  for  he  is  the  Father  of  spirits.  Heb.  xii.  9. 
§11. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  infinite  7 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  cannot,  by  searching,  find  out  God.  Job  xi.  7. 

2.  Q,  Is  he  contained  in  any  place  7 

A.  No :  for  the  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain  him.  1 
Kings  viii.  27. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  every  where  present? 

A,  Yes :  for  whither  can  we  go  from  his  spirit,  or  flee  from 
his  presence  7  Ps.  cxxxix.  7. 

4.  Q.  Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret  places  that  God  shall 
not  see  him  7 

A.  No :  for  do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth,  saith  the  Lord  7 
Jer.  xxiii.  24. 

§  ill. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  eternal? 

A.  Yes:  From  everlasting  to  everlasting  thou  art  God?  Ps. 
xc.  2. 

2.  Q.  Had  he  beginning  of  days  7 

A.  No  :  for  he  is  the  Ancient  of  days.  Dan.  vii.  9. 

3.  Q.  Shall  there  be  any  end  of  his  life  7 

A.  No  :  for  he  is  the  same,  and  his  years  have  no  end.  Ps. 
cii.  27. 

4.  Q.  Is  there  with  him  any  succession  of  time  7 

A.  No :  for  his  days  are  not  as  the  days  of  man.  Job.  x.  5. 

5.  Can  he  die  7 

A.  No :  he  is  the  only  potentate,  that  hath  immortality.  1 
Tim.  vi.  16. 

§iv. 
1.  Q.  Is  God  unchangeable  7 


10  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  for  he  is  the  Father  of  lights,  with  whom  is  no 
variableness,  nor  shadow  of  turning.  James  i.  17. 

2.  Q.  Is  there  any  decay  of  his  perfections  1 

A.  No:  for  He  fainteth  not,  neither  is  weary.  Isa,  xi.  28. 

3.  Q.  Is  there  any  alteration  in  his  counsels  ] 

A.  No:  for  He  is  not  a  man  that  he  should  repent.  1  Sam. 
xv.  29. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  well  for  us  that  he  is  unchangeable  > 

A.  Yes:  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not,  therefore,  ye  sons  of 
Jacob  are  not  consumed.  Mai.  iii.  6. 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  infinite  in  his  being  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  has  said,  I  AM  THAT  I  AM.  Exod.  iii.  14. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  self-existent  1 

A.  Yes:  for  the  Father  hath  life  in  himself?  John  v.  26. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  the  best  of  beings  1 

A.  Yes :  for  who  is  a  God  like  unto  him  1  Exod.  xv.  11. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  the  first  of  causes  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  the  Father,  of  whom  are  all  things,  and  we 
in  him.  1.  Cor.  viii.  6. 

5.  Q.  Is  he  the  highest  of  powers  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  the  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords.  1 
Tim.  vi.  15. 

§  VI. 

1 .  Q.  Is  he  a  God  of  perfect  knowledge  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  his  understanding  is  infinite.  Ps.  cxlvii.  5. 

2.  Q.  Can  any  thing  be  hid  from  him  1 

A .  No :  for  all  things  are  naked  and  opened  unto  the  eyes 
of  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do.  Heb.  iv.  13. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  know  things  to  come  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  declareth  the  end  from  the  beginning.  Isa. 
xlvi.  10. 

4.  Q.  Does  he  know  our  hearts'? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  understandeth  our  thoughts  afar  off.   Ps. 
cxxxix.  2. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  know  all  our  actions  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  his  eyes  are  upon  the  ways  of  man.  Job.  xxxiv 
21. 

§  vir. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  infinitely  wise  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  wisdom  and  might  are  his.  Dan.  ii.  20. 

2.  Q.  Are  all  his  works  wisely  done  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  11 

A.  Yes :  In  wisdom  he  hath  made  them  all.  Ps.  civ.  24. 

3.  Q.  And  particularly  the  work  of  redemption  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  the  wisdom  of  God  in  a  mystery.  1  Cor. 
ii.  7. 

4.  Q.  Can  the  wisdom  of  God's  counsels  be  fathomed  1 

A.  No :  O,  the  depth  of  the  riches  of  the  wisdom  and  knowl- 
edge of  God!  Rom.  xi.  33. 

§  vnr. 

1 .  Q.  Is  he  a  God  of  power  ? 

A.  Yes :  God  hath  spoken  once,  twice  have  I  heard  this, 
that  power  belongeth  unto  God.  Ps.  lxii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  Almighty  1 

A,  Yes  :  he  is  the  Lord  God  Almighty.  Rev.  xv.  3. 

3.  Q.  Is  his  power  irresistible  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  none  can  stay  his  hand,  Dan.  iv.  35. 

4.  Q.  Is  his  sovereignty  incontestable  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  give  th  not  account  of  any  of  his  matters.  Job 
xxxiii.  13. 

5.  Q.  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  him  1 

A.  No:  for,  with  God,  all  things  are  possible.  Matt.  xix.  26. 
§ix. 

1.  Q.  Is  he  a  God  of  perfect  holiness? 

A.  Yes :  for  holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  Isa.  vi.  3* 

2.  Q.  Is  there  iniquity  with  God? 

A.  No :  he  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity.  Heb.  i. 
13. 

3.  Q.  Is  this  his  glory  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  is  glorious  in  holiness.  Exodj  xv.  1 1 . 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  give  him  the  glory  of  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  give  thanks  at  the  remembrance  of  his  holiness.  Ps. 
xxx.  4. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  study  herein  to  resemble  him  1 
A.  Yes  :  be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy.  1  Pet.  i.  16. 

|X. 

1.  Q'  Is  he  a  just  and  righteous  Governor  1 

A.  Yes:  the  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways.  Ps.  cxlv.  17 

2.  Q.  Did  he  ever  do  wrong  to  any  of  his  creatures  ? 

A.  No:  there  is  no  unrighteousness  in  him.  Ps.  xcii.  15. 

3.  Q.  And  does  justice  please  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  righteous  Lord  loveth  righteousness.  Ps.  xi.  7 

§xi. 
1,   Q.  Is  he  a  merciful  God  ? 


12  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  He  is  the  Lord,  the  Lord  God,  merciful  and  gra- 
cious. Exod.  xxxiv.  6. 

2.  Q.  And  a  good  God  1 

A.  Yes:  thou  art  good,  and  dost  good.  Ps.  cxix.  68. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  universally  good? 

A.  Yes :  for  He  is  good  to  all,  and  his  tender  mercies  are 
over  jail  his  works.  Ps.  cxlv.  9. 

4.  Q.  Is  he,  in  a  special  manner,  good  to  his  own  people  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  truly  God  is  good  to  Israel.  Ps.  lxxiii.  1. 

5.  Q.  And  should  we  acquaint  ourselves  with  his  goodness  ? 
A.  Yes :  0,  taste,  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good.  Ps.  xxxiv.  8. 

§  XII. 

1.  Q.  Is  he  a  God  of  truth  7 

A.  Yes:  the  truth  of  the  Lord  endureth  forever.  Ps.  cxvii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Will  he  perform  all  his  promises  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  faithful  that  hath  promised.  Heb.  x.  23. 

3.  Q.  Is  there  any  danger  of  his  deceiving  us  ? 

A.  No:  it  is  impossible  for  God  to  lie,  Heb.  vi.  18. 
§  XIII. 

1.  Q.  Is  this  a  complete  description  of  God? 

A.  No :  for,  lo,  these  are  but  parts  of  his  ways ;  and  how 
little  a  portion  is  heard  of  him  !  Job  xxvi.  14. 

2.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  always  speak  of  God,  with  rever- 
ence? 

A.  Yes :  for  behold,  God  is  great,  and  we  know  him  not.  Job 
xxxvi.  26. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  to  him  to  teach  us  what  we  shall 
say? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  cannot  order  our  speech,  by  reason  of  dark- 
ness. Job  xxxvii.  19. 

V.  Q.  Are  there  more  gods  than  one  ? 
A.  There  is  but  one  onlv,  the  living  and  true 
God. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Are  there  many  gods? 

A.  No :  for  though  there  be  that  are  called  gods,  yet  there  is 
but  one  God.  1  Cor.  viii.  5,  6. 

2.  Q.  Can  there  be  but  one  ? 

A.  No :  for  he  has  said,  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none  else ;  I 
am  God,  and  there  is  none  like  me.  Isa.  xlvi.  9. 
.    3.   Q.  Are  you  sure  there  is  but  one  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  13 

A.  Yes:  for  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord;  and  there  is 
none  other  but  he.  Mark  xii.  29,  32. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  God  whom  we  serve  that  one  God? 

A.  Yes:  for  Jehovah  He  is  God;  Jehovah,  He  is  God.     1 
Kings  xviii.  39. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  infinitely  above  all  pretenders  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  a  great  King  above  all  gods.  Ps.  xcv.  3. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  God  alone  1 

A.  Yes:  O  Lord  of  Hosts,  God  of  Israel,  thou  art  the  God, 
even  thou  alone.  Isa.  xxxvii.  16. 

4.  Q.  Are  all  other  gods  false  gods'? 

A.  Yes :  for  all  the  gods  of  the  nations  are  idols ;  but  the 
Lord  made  the  Heavens.  Ps.  xcvi.  5. 
§  III. 

1.  Q.  Is  our  God  the  true  God  1 

A.  Yes:  the  Lord,  he  is  the  true  God.  Jer.  x.  10. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  the  only  true  God] 

A.  Yes :  this  is  life  eternal,  to  know  the  only  true  God.  John 
xvii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  the  living  God  1 

A.  Yes:  the  living  God,  and  an  everlasting  King.  Jer.  x.  10. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  the  sovereign  Lord  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  God  over  all,  blessed  forevermore.  Rom. 
ix.  5. 

5.  Q.  Is  this  one  God  enough  ] 

A.  Yes:  for  He  is  God  all-sufficient.  Gen.  xvii.  1. 
§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  Lord  Jehovah  the  maker  of  all  things] 

A.  Yes :  He  is  the  everlasting  God,  even  the  Lord,  the  Crea- 
tor of  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Isa.  xl.  28. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  your  Maker  ] 

A.  Yes :  He  is  the  Lord,  our  Maker.  Ps.  xcv.  6. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  the  owner  of  all  things  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  He  is  the  most  high  God,  possessor  of  Heaven 
and  earth.  Gen.  xiv.  19. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  your  rightful  owner  ] 

A.  Yes :  we  are  the  people  of  his  pasture,  and  the  sheep  of 
his  hand.  Ps.  xcv.  7. 

5.  Q.  Is  he  the  ruler  of  all  things] 

A.  Yes:  for  his  kingdom  ruleth  over  all.  Ps.  ciii.  19. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  your  ruler  ] 


14  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  O,  Lord,  truly  I  am  thy  servant,  I  am  thy  servant. 
Ps.  cxvi.  16. 

7.  Q.  Is  he  the  benefactor  of  all  creatures  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  giveth  to  all  life,  and  breath,  and  all  things. 
Acts  xvii.  25. 

8.  i$.  Is  he  your  benefactor  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  daily  loadethus  with  his  benefits.  Ps.  lxviii. 
19. 

9-.   Q.  Shall  he  therefore  be  yours  by  your  own  consent  ? 
A.  Yes:  O  God,  thou  art  my  God.  Ps.  lxiii.  1. 

VI.  Q.  How  many  persons  are  there  in  the 

Godhead  ? 

Jl.  There  are  three  persons  in  the  Godhead; 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  and 
these  three  are  one  God  ;  the  same  in  substance, 
equal  in  power  and  glory* 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Are  there  three  gods? 

A.  No:  for  the  Lord  is  one,  and  his  name  is  one.  Zechi 
xiv.  9. 

2.  Q.  Is  there  more  than  one  person  in  the  Godhead  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  God  said,  let  us  make  man.  Gen.  i.  26. 

3.  Q.    Are  there  distinct  persons  in  the  Godhead  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  who  is  the  brightness  of  his  Father's  glory,  ia 
the  express  image  of  his  person.  Heb.  i.  3k 

4.  Q.  Are  there  three  persons  in  the  Godhead  ? 

A .  Yes :  for  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  Heaven,  the 
Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  1  John  v.  7. 

§11. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  Father  God  1 

A.  Yes:  for  there  is  one  God  and  Father  of  all.  Ephes.iv.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  Jesus  Christ  the  Word  ? 

A.  Yes:  his  name  is  called  the  Word  of  God.  Rev.  xix.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  the  Word  God? 

A.  Yes :  for  in  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word 
was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  John  i.  1. 

4.  Q.  Is  the  Holy  Ghost  a  divine  person? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  Spirit  searcheth  all  things.  1  Cor.  ii.  10. 

§  ur. 
1.  Q.  Is  it  the  personal  property  of  the  Father  to  beget  the 
Son? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  15 

A.  Yes:  thou  art  my  Son,  this  day  have  I  begotten  thee.  Ps. 
ii.  7. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  personal  property  of  the  Son,  to  be  begotten  of 
the  Father  1 

A.  Yes;  for  he  is  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father.  John  i.  14. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  the  personal  property  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  proceed 
from  the  Father  and  the  Son  1 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  says,  I  will  send  you  the  comforter,  even 
the  Spirit  of  truth,  which  proceedeth  from  the  Father.  John 
xv.  26. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Are  these  three  one  God? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  said  expressly,  these  three  are  one.  1  John 
v.  7. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  the  same  in  substance,  and  equal  in  power 
and  glory  1 

A.  Yes:  for  Christ  says,  I  and  my  Father  are  one.  John  x.  30. 

3.  Q.  Can  this  doctrine  be  measured  by  reason  % 

A.  No:  for  flesh  and  blood  hath  not  revealed  it  to  us.  Matt. 
xvi.  17. 

4.  Q.  But  ought  we  to  believe  it? 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Matt,  xxviii.  19  ;  and  we 
are  blessed  with  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  love  of 
God,  and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  2  Cor.  xiii.  14. 

5.  Q.  And  ought  we  to  improve  it  1 

A.  Yes :  that  we  all  may  be  one,  as  the  Father  is  in  Christ, 
and  he  in  the  Father,  that  we  also  may  be  one  in  them.  John 
xvii.  21. 

VII.   Q.  What  are  the  decrees  of  God  ? 

*fl.  The  decrees  of  God  are  his  eternal  purpose 
according  to  the  counsel  of  his  will,  whereby  for 
his  own  glory  he  hath  ordained  whatsoever 
comes  to  pass. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Does  God  dispose  of  all  things  that  come  to  pass  ? 
A.  Yes  :  my  times  are  in  thy  hand.  Ps,  xxxi.  15. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  do  it  according  to  his  own  will  > 

A.  Yes :  for  he  hath  done  whatsoever  he  pleased.  Ps.  cxxxv. 


16  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

3.  Q.  Can  any  control  his  will  ? 

A.  No :  for  he  doth  according  to  his  will,  in  the  armies  of 
Heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth.  Dan.  iv.  35. 

4.  Q.  Has  he  determined  before,  what  he  will  do  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  known  unto  God  are  all  his  works,  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world.  Acts  xv.  18. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  there  a  counsel,  then,  in  all  the  will  of  God? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his 
own  will.  Ephes.  i.  11. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  an  eternal  counsel? 

A.  Yes:  for  it  was  ordained  before  the  world.  1  Cor.  ii.  7. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  free? 

A.  Yes:  even  so,  Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight. 
Matt.  xi.  26. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  unchangeable  ? 

A.  Yes:    the  counsel  of  the   Lord    standeth   forever.    Ps. 
xxxiii.  11. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  for  his  own  glory  1 

A.  Yes:  that  we  should  be  to  the  praise  of  his  glory.  Ephes. 
i.  12. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Were  all  the  events  of  time  ordained  from  eternity? 
A.  Yes:  He  performed  the  thing  that  is  appointed  for  me. 

Job  xxiii.  14. 

2.  Q.  Does  any  thing  come  to  pass  by  chance  ? 

A.  No:  for  the  lot  is  cast  into  the  lap;  but  the  whole  dis- 
posing thereof  is  of  the  Lord.  Prov.  xvi.  33. 

3.  Q.  Does  every  thing  come  to  pass  as  God  has  ordained  it? 
A.  Yes :  for  there  are  many  devices  in  a  man's  heart ;  never- 
theless, the  counsel  of  the  Lord,  that  shall  stand.  Prov.  xix.  21. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Can  we  search  out  God's  counsels  ? 

A.  No:  for  his  judgments  are  a  great  deep.  Ps.  xxxvi.  6. 

2.  Q.  Ought  we  not,  therefore,  to  acquiesce  in  them? 

A.  Yes:  here  am  I,  let  him  do  to  me  as  seemeth  good  unto 
him.  2  Sam.  xv.  26. 

3.  Q.  May  we  question  God's  proceedings? 

A.  No:  for  his  thoughts  are  above  our  thoughts.  Is.  Iv.  9. 

VIII.  Q.  How  doth  God  execute  his  decrees? 
A.  God  executeth  his  decrees,  in  the  works 
of  creation  and  providence. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  17 

§1. 

1.  Q.  Shall  all  God's  decrees  be  executed? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath  sworn,  surely  as  I  have 
thought,  so  shall  it  come  to  pass.  Is.  xiv.  24. 

2.  Q.  Can  any  of  them  be  defeated? 

A.  No:  for  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath  proposed,  and  who  shall 
disannul  it?  Is.  xiv.  27. 

3.  Q.  Did  God  execute  his  decree,  in  the  work  of  creation  ? 
A.  Yes:  he  hath  created  all  things,  and  for  his  pleasure,  they 

arc  and  were  created.  Rev.  iv.  1 1 . 

4.  Q.  And  does  he  execute  his  decrees  in  the  works  of  Prov- 
idence ? 

A.  Yes:  for  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Most  High  both  evil  and 
good  proceed.   Sam.  iii.  38. 

§IT. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  begin  to  work  in  the  creation  of  the  world? 
A.  Yes:  thou,  Lord,  in  the  beginning  didst  lay  the  founda- 
tions of  the  earth.  Heb.  i.  10. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  still  working? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  says,  My  Father  worketh  hitherto,  and  I 
work.  John  v.  17. 

3.  Q.  Are  all  his  works  copied  out  of  his  counsels  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  they  are  what  his  hand  and  his  counsel  deter- 
mined before  to  be  done.  Acts  iv.  28. 
§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Are  God's  works  many  ? 

A.  Yes:  O  Lord, how  manifold  are  thy  works!  Ps.  civ.  24. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  great? 

A.  Yes  :  his  work  is  honourable  and  glorious.  Ps.  cxi.  3. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  perfect  in  their  kind  ? 

A.  Yes:  God  is  the  Rock,  his  work  is  perfect.  Deut.  xxxii.  4. 

4.  Q.  Can  they  be  amended  ? 

A.  No :  whatsoever  God  doth,  nothing  can  be  put  to  it,  nor 
any  thing  taken  from  it.  Eccl.  iii.  14. 

5.  Q.  Ought  they  to  be  studied  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  are  sought  out  of  all  them  that  have  pleasure 
therein.  Ps.  cxi.  2. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  a  great  sin  to  neglect  them  ? 

A.  Yes  :  because  they  regard  not  the  work  of  the  Lord,  nei- 
ther consider  the  operation  of  his  hands,  he  shall  destroy  them, 
and  not  build  them  up.   Ps.  xxviii.  5 . 
§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Can  all  God's  works  be  thoroughly  discovered] 


18  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No:  for  no  man  can  find  out  the  work  that  God  makes 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  Eecl.  iii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Can  his  designs  in  them  be  accounted  for  ? 

A.  No:  for  his  way  is  in  the  sea,  and  his  path  in  the  great 
waters.  Ps.  lxxvii.  19. 

3.  Q.  But  is  he  glorified  in  them  ? 

A.  Yes:  all  his  works  do  praise  him.  Ps.  cxlv.  10. 

IX.  Q.  What  is  the  work  of  creation  ? 

A.  The  work  of  creation  is,  God's  making 
all  things  of  nothing,  by  the  word  of  his  power, 
in  the  space  of  six  days,  and  all  very  good. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  create  the  world  ? 

A.  Yes :  In  the  beginning  God  created  the  heavens  and  the 
earth.  Gen.  i.  1. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  create  every  thing  in  the  world  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  without  him  was  not  anything  made  that  was 
made.  John  i.  3,  and  John  xii.  7 — 9. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  create  the  world  by  his  word  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  through  faith  we  understand  that  the  worlds 
were  framed  by  the  word  of  God.  Heb.  xi.  3. 

4.  Q.  Did  all  things  come  into  being  by  that  word  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  by  the  word  of  God  the  Heavens  were  of  old. 
2  Pet.  iii.  5. 

5.  Q.  And  are  they  thereby  preserved  in  being  1 

Ji.  Yes  :  by  the  same  word  they  are  kept  in  store,  v.  7. 

6.  Q.  Did  God  find  any  difficulty  in  making  the  world  > 

A.  No :  for  he  spake  and  it  was  done ;  he  said,  let  there  be 
light,  and  there  was  light.  Ps.  xxxiii.  9.  Gen.  i.  3. 

7.  Q.  Did  he  need  assistance  in  it  ? 

A.    No:    for  he  stretcheth  forth    the  heavens    alone,  and 
spreadeth  abroad  the  earth  by  himself.  Is.  xliv.  24, 

§u. 

1.  Q.  Did  he  make  all  out  of  nothing  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  things  which  are  seen  were  not  made  of  the 
things  which  do  appear.  Heb.  xi.  3. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  bring  light  out  of  darkness  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  God  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness. 
2  Cor.  iv.  6. 

3.  Q.  And  order  out  of  confusion  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  the  earth  was  without  form  and  void.  Gen.  i.  2. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  19 

4.  Q.  Did  lie  make  all  in  six  days  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  in  six  days,  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth. 
Exod.  xx.  11. 

5.  Q.  Did  God  make  all  well  ? 

A.  Yes:  God  saw  every  thing  that  he  had  made,  and  behold 
it  was  very  good.  Gen.  i.  31. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  make  all  firm  ? 

A.  Yes:  he  hath  made  a  decree  which  shall  not  pass.  Ps. 
cxlviii.  6. 

7.  Q.  And  all  for  himself? 

A.  Yes:  the  Lord  hath  made  all  things  for  himself.  Prov. 
xvi.  4. 

§  in. 

1    Q.  Did  God  make  all  things  by  Jesus  Christ? 

A.  Yes :  for  by  him  also  he  made  the  worlds.  Heb.  i.  2.,  and 
created  all  things  by  Jesus  Christ.  Ephes.  iii.  9  ;  Col.  i.  16,  and 
John  i.  3. 

2.  Q.  Did  God  manifest  his  own  perfections  in  the  work  of 
creation  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God.  Ps.  xix.  1. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  give  him  the  glory  of  this  work? 

A.  Yes:  we  must  worship  him  that  made  the  heavens  and 
the  earth.  Rev.  xiv.  7. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  give  him  thanks  for  his  creatures? 

A.  Yes:  every  creature  of  God  is  good,  and  to  be  received 
with  thanksgiving.  1  Tim.  iv.  4. 

5.  Q.  May  we  be  encouraged,  bv  the  work  of  creation,  to  trust 
in  God? 

A.  Yes:  My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord  which  made  Heaven 
and  earth.  Ps.  cxxi.  2. 

§   IV. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  create  the  angels  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  maketh  his  angels  spirits.  Heb.  i.  7. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  attendants  upon  him? 

A.  Yes:  thousand  thousands  minister  unto  him,  and  ten 
thousand  times  ten  thousand  stand  before  him.  Dan.  vii.  10. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  employed  for  the  good  of  the  saints  1 

A.  Yes  :  they  are  sent  forth  to  minister  for  them  which  shall 
be  heirs  of  salvation.  Heb.  i.  14. 

4.  Q.  Have  true  believers  communion  with  them  in  faith, 
hope,  and  love  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  are  come  to  an  innumerable  company  of 
angels.  Heb.  xii.  22. 


20  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Did  all  the  angels  continue  in  their  integrity  1 

A.  No:  there  were  angels  that  left  their  first  state.  Jude  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  probable  that  they  who  fell,  fell  by  pride  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  that  are  lifted  up  with  pride,  fall  into  the 
condemnation  of  the  devil.  1  Tim.  iii.  6. 

3.  Q.   Were  they  punished  for  their  sin? 

A.  Yes :  God  spared  not  the  angels  that  sinned,  but  cast 
them  down  to  hell.  2  Pet.  ii.  4. 

X.  Q.  How  did  God  create  man  ? 

A.  God  created  man,  male  and  female,  after 
his  own  image,  in  knowledge,  righteousness,  and 
holiness,  with  dominion  over  the  creatures. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  man  God's  creature  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  are  also  his  offspring.  Acts  xvii.  28. 

2.  Q.  Were  our  first  parents  the  work  of  his  hands? 

A.  Yes:  male  and  female  created  he  them,  and  called  their 
name  Adam.  Gen.  v.  2. 

3.  Q.  Was  man  made  with  a  consultation  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  God  said,  Let  us  make  man.  Gen.  i.  26. 

4.  Q.  Do  all  the  children  of  men  descend  from  Adam  and 
Eve? 

A.  Yes:  for  God  has  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men. 
Acts  xvii.  26. 

§ii. 

1.  Q.  Was  man's  body  at  first  made  out  of  the  earth  ? 

A.  Yes  :  God  made  man  of  the  dust  of  the  ground.  Gen. 
ii.  7. 

2.  Q.  Are  our  bodies  of  the  earth  earthy  ? 

^4.  Yes  :  for  I  also  am  formed  out  of  the  clay.  Job  xxxiii.  6. 

8.   Q.  But  are  they  not  curiously  wrought? 

A.  Yes:  for  I  am  feaifully  and  wonderfully  made.  Ps. 
cxxxix.  14. 

4.   Q.  Is  God  the  former  of  our  bodies'? 

A.  Yes:  thou  hast  clothed  me  with  skin  and  flesh,  and 
fenced  me  with  bones  and  sinews.  Job  x.  11. 

6.   Q.  Is  he  the  author  of  our  senses? 

A.  Yes:  the  hearing  ear,  and  seeing  eye,  the  Lord  has  made 
even  both  of  them.  Prov.  xx.  12. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  21 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  the  Father  of  our  spirits  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  breathed  into  man's  nostrils  the  breath  of 
life.  Gen.  ii.  7. 

2.  Q.  Has  God  given  each  of  us  a  soul? 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  liveth  and  made  us  this  soul.  Jer.  xxxviii. 
16. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  rational  soul  1 

A.  Yes:  for  the  spirit  of  a  man  is  the  candle  of  the  Lord. 
Prov.  xx.  27. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  immortal? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  spirit  of  a  man  goes  upward.  Eccl.  iii.  21. 

5.  Q.  Does  it  die  with  the  body? 

A.  No:  for  when  the  dust  returns  to  the  earth  as  it  was,  the 
spirit  returns  to  God  who  gave  it.  Eccl.  xii.  7. 

6.  Q.  Is  God,  then,  the  sovereign  of  the  heart? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  has  said,  behold,  all  souls  are  mine.  Ezek. 
xviii.  4. 

7.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  commit  our  souls  to  him  ? 

A.  Yes:  into  thine  hands  I  commit  my  spirit.  Ps.  xxxi.  5. 
§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Was  man  made  after  God's  image? 

A.  Yes:  God  created  man,  in  his  own  image.  Gen  i.  27. 

2.  Q.  Lid  that  image  consist  in  knowledge  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  are  renewed  in  knowledge  after  the  image 
of  him  that  created  us.  Col.  iii.  10. 

3.  Q.  Did  it  consist  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  new  man  after  God  is  created  in  righteous- 
ness and  true  holiness.  Ephes.  iv.  24. 

4.  Q.  Was  there  in  man,  at  first,  a  perfeet  purity  and  freedom 
from  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  wast  perfect  in  thy  ways  from  the  day  that 
thou  wast  created.  Ezek.  xxviii.  15.  Compare  xvi.  13. 

5.  Q.  Was  there  in  him  a  perfect  rectitude  and  disposition 
to  do  good  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  God  made  man  upright.  Eccl.  vii.  29. 

6.  Q.  Are  there  some  remains  of  God's  image  still  upon  man? 
A.  Yes :  for  men  are   made  after  the  similitude  of  God. 

James  iii.  9. 

7.  Q.  Was  man  made  with  a  dominion  over  the  creatures  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet.  Ps. 

viii.  6. 

8.  Q.  Have  we  not  reason  to  admire  God's  favour  to  man  ? 


22  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ? 
Ps.  cxliv.  3. 

XI.  Q.  What  are  God's  works  of  Providence? 

A.  God's  works  of  Providence  are,  his  most 
holy,  wise,  and  powerful  preserving  and  gov- 
erning all  his  creatures,  and  all  their  actions. 
§r. 

1.  Q.  When  God  had  made  the  world,  did   he  leave  it  to 
itself] 

A.  No :  for  he  upholdeth  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power. 
Heb.  i.  3. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  see  to  the  whole  creation  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  every  place.  Prov. 
xv.  3. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  condescend  to  take  notice  of  his  creatures? 
A.  Yes:  he  humbleth  himself  to  behold  the  things  that  are 

in  heaven  and  in  the  earth.  Ps.  cxiii.  6. 

4.  Q.  Is  any  thing  at  a  distance  from  him  ? 

A.  No  :  for  he  is  not  far  from  every  one  of  us.  Acts  xvii.  27. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  look  on,  as  one  unconcerned  ? 

A.  No  :  for  his  eyes  behold,  and  his  eye-lids  try  the  children 
of  men.  Ps.  xi.  4. 

§"u. 

1.  Q.  Does  God  look  after  the  world  of  angels? 

A.  Yes:    for   he  maketh  peace   in  his   high   places.     Job 
xxv.  2. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  look  after  this  lower  world  } 

A.  Yes:  for  the  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  him.  Ps.  cxlv.  15. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  take  care  of  the  fowls  ? 

A.  Yes  :  our  Heavenly  Father  feedeth  them.  Matt.  vi.  26. 

4.  Q.   What !  even  the  sparrows  ? 

A.  Yes  :  not  one  of  them  shall  fall  to  the  ground  without 
our  Father.  Matt.  x.  29. 

5.  Q.  What !  and  the  ravens  ? 

A.  Yes  :  He  feeds  the  young  ravens  which  cry.  Ps.  cxlvii.  9. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  the  Protector  and  Benefactor  of  all  creatures? 
A.  Yes :  thou  preservest  them  all.  Neh.  ix.  6. 

7.  Q.  Is  he  man's  Protector  and  Benefactor  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  in  him  we  live,  and  move  and  have  our  being. 
Acts  xvii.  28. 
-   8.  Q.  Do  we  depend  upon  God  for  the  support  of  our  life? 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  23 

A.  Yes:  for  he  holdeth  our  soul  in  life.  Ps.  Ixvi.  9. 

9.  Q.  And  for  the  comforts  of  life  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  giveth  us  rain  from  Heaven,  and  fruitful 
seasons,  filling  our  hearts  with  food  and  gladness.  Acts  xiv.  17. 

10.  Q.  And  do  we  depend  upon  him  for  the  safety  of  our 
life? 

A.  Yes :  He  keepeth  ah1  our  bones.  Ps.  xxxiv.  20. 

11.  Q.  And  for  the  continuance  of  life  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  is  thy  life,  and  the  length  of  thy  days.  Deut. 
xxx.  20. 

§  nr. 

1.  Q.  Does  God  govern  all  things? 

A.  Yes  :  His  kingdom  ruleth  over  all.  Ps.  ciii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  govern  the  holy  angels  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  they  do  his  commandments.  Ps.  ciii.  20. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  govern  the  Heavenly  bodies? 

A.  Yes:  the  stars  in  their  courses  fought   against  Sisera. 
Judg.  v.  20. 

4.  Q.  Does  he  govern  the  power  of  the  air  1 

A.  Yes  :  stormy  winds  fulfil  his  work.  Ps.  cxlviii.  8. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  order  what  weather  it  shall  be  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  saith  to  the  snow,  be  thou  upon  the  earth. 
Job  xxxvii.  6. 

6.  Q.  And  does  he  govern  the  inferior  creatures  ? 
A.  Yes  :  He  spake  and  locusts  came.  Ps.  cv.  34. 

7.  Q.  Can  he  command  them  ? 

A.  Yes:    I  have  commanded  the  ravens  to  feed  thee.  1 
Kings  xviii  4. 

8.  Q.  Can  he  control  them  ? 

A.  Yes  :  He  shut  the  lions'  mouths.  Dan.  vi.  22. 

9.  Q.  Has  he  a  soverign  dominion  over  the  whole  creation  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  his  name.  Isa.  xlvii.  4. 

§  it. 

1.  Q.   Does  God  govern  the  children  of  men] 

A.  Yes:  the  Most  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men. 
Dan.  iv.  32. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  govern  kings  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord. 
Prov.  xxi.  1. 

3.  Q.  And  does  he  govern  kingdoms  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  is  the  governor  among  the  nations.    Ps. 
xxii.  28. 

4.  Q.  And  families,  too  ? 


24  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for,  except  the  Lord  build  the  house  they  labour  in 
vain  that  build  it.  Ps.  cxxvii.  1. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  govern  great  men  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  God  is  the  Judge ;  He  puts  down  one,  and  sets 
up  another.  Ps.  Ixxv.  7. 

6.  Q.  And  mean  men  too  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  everv   man's  judgment   proceedeth  from  the 
Lord.  Prov.  xxix.  26. 

7.  Q.  Can  man  make  his  own  fortune  ? 

A.  No :  for  the  way  of  man  is  not  in  himself,  neither  is  it  in 
man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps.  Jer.  x.  23. 

8.  Q.  When  man  purposes,  does  God  dispose  ? 

A.  Yes:  a  man's  heart  deviseth  his  way,  but  the  Lord  di- 
recteth  his  steps.  Prov.  xvi.  9. 

9.  Q.  Do  all  comforts  and  crosses  come  from  God's  hand  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  he  has  said,  I  make  peace,  and  create  evil ;  I 

the  Lord  do  all  these  things.  Tsa.  xlv.  7. 

10.  Q.  Does  God's  providence  extend  itself  to  the  smallest 
things  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  very  hairs  of  your  head  aie  all  numbered.  Matt. 
x.  30. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Is  Gcd's  government  holy  ? 

A.  Yes  :  He  is  holy  in  all  his  works.  Ps.  cxlv.  17. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  wise  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  is  wonderful  in  counsel,  and  excellent  in  work- 
ing. Isa.  xxviii.  29. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  powerful  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  when  he  giveth  quietness,  who,  then,  can  make 
trouble  1  Job  xxxiv.  29. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  rightful  ? 

A.  Yes  :  God  is  greater  than  man.  Job  xxxiii.  12. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  just? 

A.  Yes  :  for  shall  not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do  right  ? 
Gen.  xviii.  25. 

6.  Q.  Does  God  sometimes  reward  and  punish  in  this  life  ? 
A.  Yes :  the  righteous  shall  be  recompensed  in  the  earth, 

much  more  the  wicked  and  the  sinner.   Prov.  xi.  31. 

7.  Q.  But  does  he  always? 

A.  No :  for  all  things  come  alike  to  all.  Eccl.  be.  2. 

§  VI. 
1.  Q.  Does  God  govern  the  world  for  the  good  of  his  chursh  1 
A.  Yes :  for  Jacob  my  servant's  sake,  and  Israel  mine  elect, 
I  have  called  thee  by  thy  name.  Isa.  xlv.  4. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  25 

2.  Q.  Is  the  government  of  the  world  committed  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  head  over  all  things  unto  the  church. 
Ephes.  i.  22. 

3.  Q.  And  is  all  ordered  for  God's  glory  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  Lord  alone  shall  be  exalted.  Isa.  ii.  11. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  comfort  to  good  men  that  God  governs  the 
world  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  Lord  reigns,  let  the  earth  rejoice.  Ps.  xcvii.  1. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  terror  to  the  wicked? 

.4.  Yes  :  the  Lord  reigns,  let  the  people  tremble.  Ps.  xcix.  1 

6.  Q.  Ought  we  to  give  him  the  praise  of  it? 

A.  Yes :  Hallelujah,  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigns.  Rev. 
xix.  6. 

XII.  Q.  What  special  act  of  Providence  did 
God  exercise  toward  man  in  the  estate  wherein 
lie  w,as  created  ? 

Ji.  When  God  had  created  man,  he  entered 
into  a  covenant  of  life  with  him,  upon  condition 
of  perfect  obedience ;  forbidding  him  to  eat  of 
:  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  upon  the 
ipain  of  death. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  make  man  happy  as  well  as  holy  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  put  him  into  the  garden  of  Eden.  Gcn.ii.  15. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  provide  comfortably  for  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  said,  I  will  make  him  a  help  meet  for  him 
Gen.  ii.  18. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  admit  him  into  communion  with  himself? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  then  blessed  the  seventh  day  and  sanctified 
it.  -Gen.  ii.  3. 

4.  Q.  Was  God  well  pleased  in  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  his  delights  were  with  the  sons  of  men.  Pro  v. 
viii.  31. 

in. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  give  him  a  law"? 
A.  Yes:  the  Lord  God  commanded  the  man.  Gen.  ii.  16. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  give  him  a  command  of  trial  1 
A.  Yes :  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt 

not  eat  of  it.  Gen.  ii.  17. 

3 


26  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  assure  him  of  happiness,  if  he  obeyed  1 

A.  Yes:  for  of  every  tree  in  the  garden  (even  the  tree  of 
life)  thou  mayest  freely  eat.  Gen.  ii.  16. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  threaten  death  upon  his  disobedience  1 

A.  Yes :  for  in  the  day  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely 
die.  Gen.  ii.  17. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Was  this  God's  covenant  with  Adam  7 

Q.  Yes :  for  we  read  of  those  who,  like  Adam,  transgressed 
the  covenant.  Hos.  vi.  7.  Marg. 

2.  Q.  Was,  do  this  and  live,  one  branch  of  that  covenant  1 
A.  Yes :  for  the  man  that  doeth  them,  shall  live  in  them. 

Gal.  hi.  12. 

3.  Q.  Was,  fail  and  die,  the  other  branch  of  the  covenant  1 
A.  Yes :  the  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die.  Ezek,  xviii.  4. 

4.  Q.  Was  this  the  covenant  of  innocency  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  law  was  not  of  faith.  Gal.  iii.  12. 

5.  Q.  Was  there  a  mediator  of  this  covenant? 

A.  No :  for  it  is  the  better  covenant  that  is  established  in  the 
^ands  of  a  Mediator.  Heb.  viii,  6. 

XIII.  Q.  Did  our  first  parents  continue  in  the 
estate  wherein  they  were  created  ? 

A.  Our  first  parents,  being  left  to  the  freedom 
of  their  own  will,  fell  from  the  estate  wherein 
they  were  created,  by  sinning  against  God. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  man  now  in  the  state  wherein  he  was  created  1 

A.  No :  for  God  made  man  upright,  but  they  have  sought 
out  many  inventions.  Eccl.  vii.  29. 

2.  Q.  Can  we  now  say  we  are  perfectly  holy  1 

A.  No :  if  I  say  I  am  perfect,  that  shall  prove  me  perverse. 
Job  ix.  20. 

3.  Q.  Can  we  say  we  are  perfectly  happy  1 
A.  No :  for  man  is  born  to  trouble.  Job  v.  7. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  as  we  were  then  1 

^4.  No  :  man  was  planted  a  noble  vine,  but  is  turned  into  the 
degenerate  plant  of  a  strange  vine.  Jer.  ii.  21. 

5.  Q.  Did  man  continue  long  in  his  state  of  innocence  ] 
A.  No  :  for  man  being  in  honour  abideth  not.  Ps.  xlix.  12. 

§n. 
1.   Q.  Did  God  leave  man  to  the  freedom  of  his  own  will  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  27 

JL  Yes :  for  if  thou  scornest,  thou  alone  shalt  bear  it.  Prov. 
ix.  12. 

2.  Q.  Did  God  draw  Adam  to  sin  1 

A.  No :  for  God  tempteth  no  man.  James  i.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  any  way  the  author  of  sin  1 

A.  No :  far  be  it  from  God  that  he  should  do  wickedness.  Job 
xxxiv.  10. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  do  what  was  fit  to  be  done  to  prevent  it  1 

A.  Yes:  what  could  have  been  done  more  to  my  vineyard  1 
Isa.  v.  4. 

5.  Q.  Was  he  obliged  to  do  more  1 

A .  No :  for  may  he  not  do  what  he  will  with  his  own  1  Matt 
xx.  15. 

6.  Q.  Does  all  the  blame  of  man's  sin  lie  upon  himself,  then  7 
A.  Yes  :  0  Israel,  thou  hast  destroyed  thyself.  Hos.  xiii.  9. " 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Did  man  fall  by  sinning  against  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  hast  fallen  by  thine  iniquity.  Hos.  xiv.  1. 

2.  Q.  Was  that  the  beginning  of  sin,  in  this  world  1 

A.  Yes:  for  by  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world.  Rom. 
v.  12. 

XIV.   Q.  What  is  sin  ? 

t.d.  Sin  is  any  want  of  conformity  unto,  or 
transgression  of  the  law  of  God. 

§  r. 

1.  P.  Is  there  a  moral  difference  of  good  and  evil] 

A.  Yes:  for  we  must  cease  to  do  evil,  and  learn  to  do  well. 
Isa.  i.  16,  17. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  all  alike  then  what  we  do  1 

A.  No :    for  God  shall   bring  every   work  into  judgment, 
whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be  evil.  Eccl.  xii.  14. 

3.  Q.  Is  there  such  a  thing  as  sin  in  thought  1 

A.  Yes:  for  the  thought  of  foolishness  is  sin.  Prov.  xxiv.  9. 

4.  Q.  May  sin  be  committed  in  word  too  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  in  the  multitude  of  words  there  wanteth  not  sin. 
Prov.  x.  19. 

§n. 
1 .   Q.  Does  sin  suppose  a  law  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  where  there  is  no  law,  there  is  no  transgres- 
sion. Rom.  iv.  15.  and  v.  13. 


28  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

2.  Q.  Is  sin  the  breach  of  a  law  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law.   1  John  iii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  God's  law  only  that  can  make  a  thing  to  be  sin  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  against  thee,  thee  only  have  I  sinned.  Ps.  li.  4. 

4.  Q.  Is  every  breach  of  God's  law  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  all  unrighteousness  is  sin.   1  John  v.  17. 

5.  Q.  Are  we  to  judge  of  sin  by  the  law  1 

A.  Yes :  for  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin.  Rom.  iii.  20. 

6.  Q.  Could  we  discover  sin  without  some  law  ? 

A.  No :  for  I  had  not  known  sin  but  by  the  law.  Rom.  vii.  7. 

7.  Q.  Is  the  transgression  of  the  law  of  nature  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  they  that  have  not  the  written  law,  shew  the 
work  of  the  law  written  in  their  hearts.  Rom.  ii.  14,  15. 

8.  Q.  But  does  the  written  law  discover  the  root  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  had  not  known  lust,  except  the  law  had  said, 
thou  shalt  not  covet.  Rom.  vii.  7. 
§  Hi' 

1 1  Q.  Is  ignorance  of  God  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  shall  take  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not 
God.  2  Thess.  i.  8. 

2.  Q.  Is  disaffection  to  God's  government  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  my  people   would  not  hearken  to  my  voice,  and 
Israel  would  none  of  me.  Ps.  lxxxi.  11. 

3.  Q.  Is  all  disobedience  to  God's  law  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  -wrath  of  God  comes  upon  tho  children  of 
disobedience.  Col.  iii.  6. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  omit  the  good  which  God  has  commanded  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  to  him  that  knows  to  do  good,  and  doth  it  not, 

to  him  it  is  sin.  James  iv.  1 7. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  do  it  negligently  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  if  thou  doest  not  well,  sin  lies  at  the  door.  Gen. 
iv.  7. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  do  the  evil  which  God  has  forbidden? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  has  said,  0,  do  not  this  abominable  thing 
which  I  hate.  Jer.  xliv.  4. 

7.  Q.  Is  the  inclination  to  evil  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  St.  Paul  speaks  of  the  sin  that  dwells  in  us. 
Rom.  vii.  17. 

§it. 

1.  Q.  Is  sin  the  worst  of  evils? 

A.  Yes:  it  is  an  evil  thing,  and  a  bitter,  to  forsake  the  Lord. 
Jer.  ii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Is  the  sinfulness  of  it  the  worst  thing  in  it  I 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  29 

A.  Yes :  for  sin  by  the  commandment  becomes  exceeding 
sinfuL  Rom.  vii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  sin  worse  than  affliction  1 

A.  Yes :  for  Moses,  by  faith  chose  rather  to  suffer  affliction 
than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin.  Heb.  xi.  25. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  displeasing  to  God  > 

A.  Yes  :  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day.  Ps.  vii.  1 1. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  destructive  to  ourselves  1 

A.  Yes  :  be  sure  your  sin  will  find  you  out.  Numb.  xxxiL 
23. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  not,  therefore,  to  take  heed  of  sin  ? 
A.  Yes :  stand  in  awe,  and  sin  not.  Ps.  iv.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  of  all  appearances  of  it  1 

A.  Yes:  abstain  from  all  appearance  of  evil.   1  Thess.  v.  22. 

3.  Q.  And  all  approaches  towards  it ! 

A.  Yes:  touch  not  the  unclean  thing.  2  Cor.  vi.  17. 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  hate  it  1 

A.  Yes:  ye  that  love  the  Lord,  hate  evil.  Ps.  xcvii.  10. 

5.  Q.  Must  little  children  take  heed  of  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  my  little  children,  these  things  write  I  unto  you, 
that  ye  sin  not.  1  John  ii.  1 . 

6.  Q.  Is  it  folly  to  make  light  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  fools  make  a  mock  at  sin.  Pro  v.  xiv.  9. 

7.  Q.  Will  our  observing  the  law  of  God  be  the  best  pre- 
servative against  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  thy  word  have  I  hid  in  my  heart,  that  I  might  not 
sin  against  thee.  Ps.  cxix.  11. 

8.  Q.  Will  an  eye  to  God  be  the  best  argument  against  sin  1 
A.  Yes :  how  shall  I  do  this  great  wickedness,  and  sin  against 

God.  Gen.  xxxix.  9. 

XV.  Q.  What  was  the  sin  whereby  our  first 
parents  fell  from  the  estate  wherein  they  were 
created  ? 

Jl.  The  sin  whereby  our  first  parents  fell  from 
the  estate  wherein  they  were  created,  was  their 
eating  the  forbidden  fruit. 
§i. 

1 .  Q.  Did  our  first  parents  eat  the  forbidden  fruit  1 
A.  Yes:  thou  hast  eaten  of  the  tree  of  which  I  commanded 
thee  sayincr,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it.  Gen.  hi.  17. 


30  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

2.  Q.  Was  their  doing  so  disobedience  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  it  was  by  one  man's  disobedience  that  many 
were  made  sinners.  Rom.  v.  19. 

3.  Q.  Did  the  woman  eat  forbidden  fruit  first  ? 

A .  Yes :  the  woman  being  deceived  was  in  the  transgression. 
1  Tim.  ii.  14. 

4.  Q.  Did  the  serpent  tempt  her  to  it  ? 

A.  Yes:  the   serpent  beguiled  Eve  through  his  subtilty.  2 
Cor.  xi.  3. 

5.  Q.  Was  that  serpent  the  devil  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  Old  Serpent  is  the  devil  and  Satan.  Rev.  xx.  2. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  aim  to  make  man  as  miserable  as  himself? 

A.  Yes  :  he  was  a  murderer  from  the  beginning.    John    viii. 
44. 

§n. 

1 .  Q.  Did  the  tempter  teach  them  to  question  the  command  ? 
A.  Yes:  he  said  to  the  woman,  hath  God  said  ye  shall  not 

eat  ?  Gen.  hi.  1. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  promise  them  safety  in  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :   he  said,  ye  shall  not  surely  die.  Gen.  iii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  promise  them  advantage  by  the  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  in  the  day  ye  eat  thereof,  your  eyes  shall  be  opened. 
Gen.  iii.  5. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  feed  them  with  high  thoughts  of  themselves  ? 
A.  Yes :  ye  shall  be  as  gods.  Gen.  iii.  5. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  suggest  to  them  hard  thoughts  of  God? 
A.  Yes  :  for  he  said,  God  doth  know  this.  Gen.  iii.  5. 

6.  Q.  Did  Eve  do  well  to  parley  with  him  ? 

A.  No:  for  we  should  cease  to  hear   the  instruction   that 
causeth  to  err  from  the  words  of  knowledge.  Prov.  xix.  27. 
§iii. 

1 .  Q.  Did  the  devil  prevail  in  this  temptation  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  she  took  of  the  fruit,  and  did  eat,  and  gave  also 
to  her  husband  with  her,  and  he  did  eat.  Gen.  iii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Was  there  in  this  sin  the  lust  of  the  flesh? 

A.  Yes:  for  she  saw  that  the  tree  was  good  for  food.  Gen. 
iii.  6. 

3.  Q.  Was  there  in  it  the  lust  of  the  eye  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  she  saw  that  it  was  pleasant  to  the  eyes.  Gen> 
iii.  6. 

4.  Q.  And  the  pride  of  life  1 

A.  Yes :  for  she  saw  that  it  was  a  tree  to  be  desired  to  make 
one  wise.  Gen.  iii.  6. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  31 

5.  Q.  Was  unbelief  of  the  word  of  God  at  the  bottom  of  it  ? 
A.  Yes :  it  is  the  evil  heart  of  unbelief  that  departs  from  the 

living  God.  Heb.  iii.  12. 

6.  Q.  Was  there  in  it  an  opposition  to  the  divine  law? 

A.  Yes:  for  sin  took  occasion  by  the  commandment.  Eom. 
vii.  8. 

7.  Q.  Was  disobedience  in  a  small  matter  a  great  provoca- 
tion? 

A.  Yes:  for  rebellion  is  as  the  sin  of  witchcraft,  and  stub- 
bornness is  iniquity  and  idolatry.  1  Sam.  xv.  23. 

8.  Q.  If  Adam  fell  thus,  have  we  any  reason  to  be  secure  ? 
A.  No :  wherefore  let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take 

heed  lest  he  fall.  1  Cor.  x.  12. 

XVI.  Q.  Did  all  mankind  fall  in  Adam's  first 
transgression  ? 

J2.  The  covenant  being  made  with  Adam,  not 
only  for  himself,  but  for  his  posterity  ;  all  man- 
kind, descending  from  him  by  ordinary  genera- 
tion, sinned  in  him,  and  fell  with  him,  in  his  first 
transgression. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  concerned  in  our  first  parents'  disobedience? 
A.  Yes:  for  by  the  offence  of  one,  judgment  came  upon  all 

men  to  condemnation.  Rom.  v.  18. 

2.  Q.  Were  we  in  their  loins  when  they  ate  the  forbidden 
fruit? 

A.  Yes  :  for  Adam  called  his  wife's  name  Eve,  because  she 
was  the  mother  of  all  living.  Gen.  iii.  20. 

3.  Q.  Was  Adam  a  common  father  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  was  to  be  fruitful,  and  multiply,  and  replenish 
the  earth.  Gen.  i.  28. 

4.  Q.  Was  he  a  public  person  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  was  the  figure  of  him  that  was  to  come. 
Rom.  v.  14. 

5.  Q.  Was  the  covenant  made  with  him,  and  his  posterity  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  God  always  established  his  covenant  with  men, 

and  with  their  seed  after  them.  Gen.  ix.  9. 
§n. 

1 .   Q.  Was  Adam's  sin  our  ruin,  then  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  through  the  offence  of  one  many  were  dead. 
Rom.  v.  15. 


o2  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

2.  Q.  Was  the  honour  of  human  nature  thereby  stained  1 
A.  Yes:  for  Adam  begat  a  son  in  his  own  likeness.  Gen. 

v.  3. 

3.  Q.  Was  the  power  of  the  human  nature  thereby  weak- 
ened? 

A.  Yes :  for  when  we  were  without  strength,  Christ  died  for 
us.  Rom.  v.  6. 

4.  Q,   Q.  Was  the  purity  of  it  thereby  corrupted  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  in  us,  that  is,  in  our  flesh,  there  dwells  no  good 
thing.  Rom.  vii.  18. 

5.  Q.  Was  Adam  himself  degenerated  1 

A.  Yes:  for  God  said  to  him,  dust  thou  art.  Gen.  hi.  19. 

6.  Q.  And  are  we,  in  like  manner,  degenerated  1 

A.  Yes:    for  we  have  all  borne  the  image   of  the    earth. 
1  Cor.  xv.  49. 

§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Is  this  degeneracy  universal  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  all  flesh  hath  corrupted  his  way.  Gen.  vi.  12. 

2.  Q.  Did  our  Lord  Jesus  descend  from  Adam  by  ordinary 
generation  1 

A.  No :  for  He  is  the  Lord  from  Heaven.   1  Cor.  xv.  47. 
3-   Q.  Did  He,  then,  sin  in  Adam  1 

A.  No :   for  He  is  undefiled,  separate  from    sinners.  Heb. 
vii.  26. 

4.  Q.  Did  all  the  rest  of  mankind  sin  in  Adam  1 

A.  Yes :  for  how  can  he  be  clean  that  is  born  of  a  woman  l 
Job  xxv.  4. 

5.  Q.  Are  the  ways  of  the  Lord  herein  equal  ? 

A.  Yes:  but  our  ways  are  unequal.  Ezek.  xviii.  29. 

XVII.  Q.  Into  what  estate  did  the  fall  bring 
mankind  ? 

J2.  The  fall  brought  mankind  into  an  estate 
of  sin  and  misery. 

§  i.  . 

1.  Q.  Is  mankind  in  a  state  of  sin  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  both  Jews  and  Gentiles  are  all  under  sin.  Rom. 
iii.  9. 

2.  Q.  Is  a  state  of  sin  a  sad  state  ] 

A.  Yes:  for  they  that  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God. 
Rom.  viii.  8. 

3.  Q.  Did  the  fall  bring  us  into  a  state  of  sin  ! 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  33 

*/.  Yes:  for  by  it  many  were  made  sinners.  Rom.  v.  19. 

4.  Q.  Does  the  world  continue  in  that  state  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  whole  world  lies  in  wickedness.  1  John  v. 
19. 

5.  Q.  And  are  you  by  nature  in  that  state  1 

A.  Yes:  if  I  justify  myself,  my  own  mouth  shall  condemn 
me.  Job  ix.  20. 

*"' 

1.  Q.  Is  mankind  in  a  state  of  misery  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  misery  of  man  is  great  upon  him.    Eccl.  viii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  sin  the  cause  of  all  that  misery  1 

A.  Yes :  for  death  entered  by  sin,  and  so  death  passed  upon 
all  men.  Rom.  v.  12. 

3.  Q.  Is  misery  the  consequence  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  evil  pursues  sinners.  Prov.  xiii.  21. 

4.  Q.  Do  all  the  creatures  share  in  the  sad  effects  of  sin  ? 
A.  Yes:  cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake.  Gen.  hi.  17. 

5.  Q.  And  could  all  this  mischief  come  from  that  one  sin  1 
A.  Yes :  for  how  great  a  matter  does  a  little  fire  kindle ! 

James  iii.  5,  6. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Did  the  fall  bring  mankind  into  a  state  of  apostacy 
from  God? 

A,  Yes :  for  they  are  all  gone  aside.  Ps,  xiv.  3. 

2.  Q.  Is  that  a  sinful  state  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  great  whoredom  to  depart  from  the  Lord. 
Hos.  i.  2. 

3.  Q.  And  is  it  a  miserable  state  1 

A.  Yes:  woe  unto  them,  for  they  have  fled  from  me.  Hos. 
vii.  13. 

§iv. 

1.  Q.  Did  the  fall  bring  mankind  into  a  state  of  slavery  to 
Satan  1 

A.  Yes :  for  they  are  taken  captive  by  him  at  his  will.  2 
Tim.  ii.  26. 

2.  Q.  Is  that  a  sinful  state  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air  works  in  the 
children  of  disobedience.  Ephes.  ii.  2. 

3 .  Q.  Is  it  a  miserable  state  > 

A.  Yes:  for  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded  their  minds. 
2  Cor  iv.  4. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  like  the  condition  of  the  prodigal  son  > 


34  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for  he  went  into  a  far  country ;  wasted  his  substance; 
began  to  be  in  want ;  and  was  sent  into  the  fields  to  feed  swine. 
Luke  xv.  13—15. 

XVIII.  Q.  Wherein  consists  the  sinfulness  of 
that  estate  whereinto  man  fell  ? 

A.  The  sinfulness  of  that  estate  whereinto 
man  fell,  consists  in  the  guilt  of  Adam's  first  sin, 
the  want  of  original  righteousness,  and  the  cor- 
ruption of  his  whole  nature,  which  is  commonly 
called  Original  Sin  ;  together  with  all  actual 
transgressions  which  proceed  from  it. 
§i. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  all  born  under  guilt  ] 

A.  Yes:  For  all  the  world  is  guilty  before  God.  Eom.  iii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Does  the  whole  race  of  mankind  stand  attainted  at 
God's  bar  1 

A.  Yes:  for  the  scripture  hath  concluded  all  under  sin.  Gal. 
iii.  22. 

3.  Q.  Is  this  according  to  God's  rule  of  judgment] 

A.  Yes:  for  he  visitefh  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the 
children.  Exod.  xx.  5. 

4.  Q.  Is  not  God  unrighteous  who  thus  takes  vengeance  1 
A.  No :  God  forbid,  for  then  how  shall  God  judge  the  world  ? 

Rom.  iii.  6. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  all  born  in  sin? 

A.  Yes:  behold,  I  was  shapen  in  iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my 
mother  conceive  me.  Ps.  li.  5. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  of  a  sinful  brood  1 

A.  Yes:  for  we  are  a  seed  of  evil  doers.  Isa.  i.  4. 

3.  Q.  May  we  be  truly  called  sinners  by  nature  1 

A.  Yes :  thou  wast  called  a  transgressor  from  the  womb.  Isa. 
xlviii.  8. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  there,  in  every  one  of  us,  by  nature,  the  want  of 
original  righteousness  1 

A.  Yes:  there  is  none  righteous,  no  not  one.  Rom.  iii.  10. 

2.  Q.  Is  there  in  us,  an  aversion  to  that  which  is  good  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  tire  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God.  Rom. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  35 

3.  Q.  Is  there  in  us  a  moral  impotence  to  that  which  is  good  1 
A.  Yes :  for  the  carnal  mind  is  not  in  subjection  to  the  law 

of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be.  Rom.  viii.  7. 

4.  Q.  Can  we,  of  ourselves,  do  any  thing-  that  is  good  ?■ 

A.  No  :  for  we  are  not  sufficient  of  ourselves  to  think  any 
thing  as  of  ourselves.  2  Cor.  iii.  5. 

§  IV" 

1.  Q.  Is  there  in  us  a  proneness  to  that  which  is  evil  1 

A.  Yes :  My  people  are  bent  to  back-sliding  from  me.  Hos. 
xi.  7. 

2.  Q.  Are  there  the  snares  of  sin  in  our  bodies  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  there  is  a  law  in  the  members  warring  against 
the  law  of  the  mind.  Rom.  vii.  23. 

3.  Q.  And  are  there  the  seeds  of  sin  in  our  souls? 

A.  Yes:  for  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  present  with  ma 
Rom.  vii.  21. 

4.  Q.  And  is  the  stain  of  sin  upon  both  1 

A.  Yes :  for  all  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glcry  of 
God.  Ro2n.  iii.  23. 

§  v. 

1 .  Q.  Did  we  all  bring  sin  into  the  world  with  us  1 

A.  Yes:  for  man  is  born  like  the  wild  ass's  colt.  Job.  xi.  12. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  in  little  children  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  foolishness  is  in  the  heart  of  a  child.  Prov.  xxii. 
15. 

3.  Q.  As  reason  improves  does  sin  grow  up  with  it  1 

A.  Yes :  for  when  the  blade  is  sprung  up,  then  appear  the 
tares  also.  Matt,  xiii,  26. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  not  a  wonder  of  mercy,  then,  that  we  are  any  of 
us  alive  1 

A.  Yes :  it  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we  are  not  consumed. 
Lam.  iii.  22. 

•§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  whole  nature  of  man  corrupted  by  the  fall  1 

A.  Yes  :  the  whole  head  is  sick,  and  the  whole  heart  is  faint. 
Isa.  i.  5. 

2.  Q.  Is  the  understanding  corrupted  1 

A.  Yes :  the  understanding  is  darkened,  being  alienated  from 
the  life  of  God.  Ephes.  iv.  18. 

3.  Q.  Is  that  unapt  to  admit  the  rays  of  divine  light  1 

A.  Yes:  for  they  are  spiritually  discerned.    1  Cor.  ii.  14. 

4.  Q.  Is  the  will  corrupted  ] 


36  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  the  neck  is  an  iron  sinew.  Isa.  xlviii.  4. 

5.  Q.  And  is  that  unapt  to  submit  to  the  rule  of  the  divine 
law? 

A .  Yes  :  for  what  is  the  Almighty  (say  they)  that  we  should 
serve  him'?  Job.  xxi.  15. 

6.  Q.  Are  the  thoughts  corrupted  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  imagination  of  man's  heart  is  evil  from  his 
youth.  Gen.  viii.  21. 

7.  Q-  Is  the  fancy  full  of  vanity  7 

A.  Yes  :  vain  thoughts  lodge  within  us.  Jer.  iv.  14. 

8.  Q.  Are  the  affections  corrupted  ? 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  a  carnal  mind.  Rom.  viii.  7. 

9.  Q.  Is  conscience  itself  corrupted? 

A.  Yes:  even  the  mind  and  conscience  is  defiled.  Tit.  i.  15. 

10.  Q.  Is  the  whole  soul  corrupted  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things.  Jer.  xvii,  9. 

§  VII. 

1 .  Q.  Is  this  corruption  of  the  mind  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  enmity  against  God.  Rom.  viii.  7. 

2.  Q.  Have  we  it  from  our  original  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  that  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh.  John  hi.  6. 

3.  Q.  Do  we  derive  it  through  our  parents  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean  ? 
Job.  xiv.  4. 

4.  Q.  Does  it  render  us  odious  to  God's  holiness  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  foolish  shall  not  stand  in  his  sight.  Ps.  v.  5. 

5.  Q.  Does  it  render  us  obnoxious  to  his  justice  ? 

A .  Yes  :  for  death  reigns  over  them  that  have  not  sinned 
after  the  similitude  of  Adam's  transgressions.  Rom.  v.  14. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Does  this  original  corruption  produce  actual  transgres- 
sion ? 

A..  Yes :   for  a  corrupt  tree  cannot  bring  forth  good  fruit. 
Matt.  vii.  18. 

2.  Q.  Docs  it  produce  it  betimes  ? 

w?.  Yes :  for  the  wicked  are  estranged  from  the  womb.     They 
go  astray,  as  soon  they  are  born,  speaking  lies.  Ps.  lviii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Docs  it  produce  it  naturally  ? 

A.  Yes  :  as  a  fountain  casteth  out  her  waters.  Jer.  vi.  7. 

4.  Q.  Does  all  sin  begin  in  the  heart  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  when  lust  hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth  sin. 
James  i.  15. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  37 

5.  Q.  Is  it  not  necessary,  therefore,  we  should  have  a  new- 
nature  1 

A.  Yes:  marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  you,  ye  must  be  born 
again.  John  hi.  7. 

6.  Q.  Can  we  get  to  heaven  without  it  1 

A.  No:  for  flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit  the  kingdom  of 
God.  1  Cor.  xv.  50. 

XIX.  Q.  What  is  the  misery  of  that  estate 
whereinto  man  fell  ? 

•#.  All  mankind,  by  their  fall,  lost  communion 
with  God,  are  under  his  wrath  and  curse,  and  so 
made  liable  to  all  the  miseries  of  this  life,  to 
death  itself,  and  to  the  pains  of  hell  forever. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  When  our  first  parents  had  eaten  the  forbidden  fruit, 
did  they  become  as  gods  1 

A.  No:  they  were  like  the  beasts  that  peiish.  Ps.  xlix.  12, 

2.  Q.  Did  the  devil  make  his  words  good  then  ? 

A.  No  :  for  he  is  a  liar,  and  the  father  of  it.  John  viii.  44. 

3.  Q.  Did  not  he  put  a  cheat  upon  them? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  woman  said,  the  serpent  beguiled  me.  Gen. 
iii.  13. 

4.  Q.  Did  shame  come  in  with  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  for  they  knew  that  they  were  naked.  Gen.  iii.  7. 

5.  Q.  Did  fear  come  in  with  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  hid  themselves  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  God,  among  the  trees  of  the  garden.  Gen.  iii.  8. 

6.  Q.  Was  not  that  their  misery  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  fear  hath  torment.  1  John  iv.  18. 
§ii. 

1.  Q.  Did  they  lose  communion  with  God  1 

A .  Yes :  for  he  drove  out  the  man.  Gen.  iii.  24. 

2.  Q.  Is  fallen  man  unworthy  of  communion  with  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  what  communion  hath  light  with  darkness  1  2 
Cor.  vi.  14. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  unfit  for  communion  with  Gods? 

A.  Yes:  for  can  two  walk  together  except  they  be  agreed? 
Amos  iii.  3. 

4.  Q.  Could  fallen  man- ever  get  to  heaven  by  virtue  of  the 
covenant  of  innocency  1 


SS  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No :  for  cherubims  and  a  flaming  sword  were  set  to  keep 
that  way  to  the  tree  of  life.  Gen  iii.  24. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  fallen  man  under  God's  wrath  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven,  against 
all  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness  of  men.  Rom.  i.  18. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  all  so  by  nature  1 

A.  Yes:  we  are,  by  nature,  children  of  wrath,  even  as  others. 
Ephes.  ii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  so  by  reason  of  sin  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  because  of  these  things  cometh  the  wrath  of  God 
upon  the  children  of  disobedience.  Ephes.  v.  6. 

4.  Q.  Is  there  a  distance  between  God  and  man,  by  reason  of 
sin1? 

A.  Yes :  your  iniquities  have  separated  between  you  and  your 
God.  Isa  lix.  2. 

5.  0.  Is  there  a  quarrel  between  God  and  man,  by  reason  of 
sin  ! 

A.  Yes  :  my  soul  loathed  them,  and  their  soul  also  it  abhorred 
me.  Zech.  xi.  8. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  not  sad  to  lie  under  God's  wrath  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  who  knows  the  power  of  his  anger  ]  Ps.  xc.  2. 

§  rv. 

1.  Q.  Is  fallen  man  under  God's  curse ! 

A.  Yes :  for  cursed  is  every  one  that  continues  not  in  all 
things  which  are  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them.  Gal. 
iii.  10. 

2.  Q.  Is  this  curse  in  force  against  all  wicked  people  1 

A.  Yes  :  the  curse  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  house  of  the  wicked. 
Prov.  iii.  33. 

3.  Q.  Has  sin  brought  a  curse  upon  the  world? 

A,  Yes:  cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake.  Gen.  iii.  17. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Is  mankind,  by  the  fall,  become  liable  to  the  miseries  of 
this  life  ] 

A.  Yes:  in  sorrow  shaft  thou  eat  of  it  all  the  days  of  thy  life. 
Gen.  iii.  17. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  all,  by  nature,  liable  to  these  miseries  1 
A.  Yes :  for  man  is  born  to  trouble.  Job.  v.  7. 

3.  Q.  Is  all  the  hurtfulness  of  the  creatures  the  effect  of  fin  ] 
A.  Yes  :  thorns  and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth.  Gen.  iii.  18. 

4.  Q,  Is  the  toil  of  business  the  effect  of  sin  1 


SCRIPTUHE    CATECHISM.  39 

A.  Yes:  in  the  sweat  of  thy  face,  shaft  thou  eat  bread.  Geru 
in.  19. 

5.  Q.  Is  pain  and  sickness  the  effect  of  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  there  is  not  any  rest  in  my  bones?  because  of  my 
sin.  Ps.  xxxviii.  8. 

6.  Q.  Are  all  our  crosses  the  effect  of  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  our  sins  have  withholden  good  things  from  us.  Jer. 
v.  25. 

7.  Q.  Should  we  not,  therefore,  bear  them  patiently  1 

A.  Yes:  wherefore  doth  a  living  man  complain,  a  man  for 
the  punishment  of  his  sin  ]  Lam.  hi.  39. 

§vi. 

1.  Q.  Is  all  mankind,  by  the  fall,  become  liable  to  death 
itself? 

A.  Yes:  for  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have 
sinned.  Eom.  v.  12. 

2.  Q.  Was  a  sentence  of  death  immediately  passed  upon  fal- 
len man  1 

A.  Yes :  dust  thou  art,  and  to  dust  shalt  thou  return.  Gen.  iii, 
19. 

3.  Q.  Do  we  all  deserve  death  1 

A.  Yes  :  the  wages  of  sin  is  death.  Rom.  vL  23. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  natural  consequence  of  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  for  sin,  when  it  is  finished  brings  forth  death.  James 
i.  15. 

5.  Q.  Can  any  avoid  if? 

A.  No  :  what  man  is  he  that  liveth  and  shall  not  see  death  T 
Ps.  lxxxix.  48. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  determined  1 

A.  Yes:  it  is  appointed  to  men  once  to  die.  Heb.  ix.  27. 

7.  Q.  Do  you  expect  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  I  know  that  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  death.  Job.  xxx. 
23. 

8.  Q.  Is  sin  the  sting  of  death  1 

A.  Yes:  The  sting  of  death  is  sin.  1  Cor.  xv.  56. 

•9.   Q.  Is  the  amazing  fear  of  death,  the  effect  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  there  are  those  who,  through  fear  of  death,  are  all 
the.r  lifetime  subject  to  bondage.  Heb.  ii.  15. 

10.   Q.  Is  the  body's  rotting  in  the  grave,  the  effect  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  As  drought  and  heat  consume  the  snow-waters,  so 
"doth  the  grave  those  which  have  sinned.  Job.  xxiv.  19. 


40  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Is  mankind,  by  the  fall,  become  liable  to  the  pains  of 
hell  for  ever  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  that  wanders  out  of  the  way  of  understanding 
shall  remain  in  the  congregation  of  the  dead.  Prov.  xxi.  16.  Ps. 
ix.  17. 

2.  Q.,  Can  God  make  a  soul  for  ever  miserable  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  after  he  hath  killed,  he  hath  power  to  cast  into 
hell.  Luke  xii.  5. 

3.  Q.  Is  there  a  state  of  punishment  in  the  other  life  ? 

.4.  Yes:  for  we  are  warned  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
Matt.  iii.  7. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  desert  of  sin  ? 

+i.  Yes :  for  when  God  renders  to  every  man  according  to 
his  work,  he  will  render  indignation  and  wrath,  tribulation  and 
anguish,  upon  every  soul  of  man  that  doeth  evil.  Rom.  ii.  8,  9. 

5.  Q.  Will  it  be  the  portion  of  impenitent  sinners  ? 

A.  Yes:  ye  generation  of  vipers  how  can  ye  escape  the 
damnation  of  hell.  Matt,  xxiii.  33. 

§  VIII.  • 

1 .  Q.  Is  Hell  the  wrath  of  an  everlasting  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  breath  of  the  Lord,  like  a  stream  of  brimstone 
doth  kindle  it.  Isa.  xxx.  33. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  anguish  of  an  immortal  soul  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  their  worm  dieth  not.  Mark.  ix.  44. 

3.  Q.  Is  any  way  of  relief  open  to  them  ? 

A.  No :  Betwixt  us  and  you  there  is  a  gulf  fixed.  Luke  xvi. 
26. 

4.  Q.  Is  their  punishment  therefore  everlasting  1 

A.  Yes :  they  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment.  Matt. 
xxv.  46. 

5.  Q.  Should  we  not,  every  one  of  us,  dread  it  1 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  a  fearful  tiling  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
living  God.  Heb.  x.  31.  Isa.  xxxiii.  14. 

XX.  Q.  Did  God  leave  all  mankind  to  per- 
ish in  the  estate  of  sin  and  misery  ? 

A.  God  having  out  of  his  mere  good  pleasure, 
from  all  eternity,  elected  some  to  everlasting  life, 
did  enter  into  a  covenant  of  grace,  to  deliver 
them  out  of  the  estate  of  sin  and  misery,  and  to 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  41 

bring  them  into  an  estate  of  salvation,  by  a  Re- 
deemer. 

§r. 

1.  Q.  Might  not  God  justly  have  left  all  mankind  to  perish 
in  their  fallen  estate  1 

A.  Yes :  for  in  his  sight  shall  no  man  living  be  justified.  Ps. 
cxliii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Would  God  have  been  a  loser  by  it,  if  they  had  been 
left  to  perish  1 

A.  No  :  for  can  a  man  be  profitable  to  God?  Job.  xxii.  2. 

3.  Q.  But  did  he  leave  them  to  perish  1 

A.  No :  for  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  our  Saviour  towards 
man  appears.  Tit.  iii.  4. 

4.  Q.  Was  the  case  of  fallen  angels  helpless  and  desperate  1 
A.  Yes  :  for  God  spared  not  them.  2  Pet.  ii.  4. 

5.  Q.  But  is  the  case  of  fallen  man  so  1 

A.  No:  for  he  is  long-suffering  to  us-ward,  not  willing  that 
any  should  perish.  2  Pet.  iii.  9. 

6.  Q.  Is  God's  patience  a  token  for  good  1 

A,  Yes:  the  long-suffering  of  our  God  is  salvation.  2  Pet.  iii. 
15. 

7.  Q.  Does  it  appear  that  God  has  a  good  will  to  man's  sal- 
vation ? 

A.  Yes :  as  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God,  I  have  no  pleasure  in 
the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  that  he  turn  and  live.  Ezek.  xxxiii. 
11. 

8.  Q.  Is  this  an  encouragement  to  us  all  to  hope  in  his  mercy? 
A.  Yes :  for  if  the  Lord  had  been  pleased  to  kill  us,  he  would 

not  have  shewed  us  such  things  as  these.  Judg.  xiii.  23. 

1.  Q.  Could  man  help  himself  out  of  his  state  of  sin  and 
misery? 

A.  No :  for  when  we  were  without  strength,  Christ  died  for 
the  ungodly.     Rom.  v.  6. 

2.  Q.  Could  any  creature  help  us  ? 

A.  No:  for  none  of  them  can,  by  any  means  redeem  his 
brother.  Ps.  xlix.  7. 

3.  Q.  Could  God  himself  only  help  us  ? 

A.  Yes  :  0  Israel !  thou  hast  destroyed  thyself,  but  in  me  is 
thy  help.  Hos.  xiii.  9. 

4.  Q.  Did  God  contrive  a  way  for  man's  recovery  ? 

3* 


42  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  he  hath  devised  means  that  his  banished  may  not 
be  expelled  from  him.  2  Sam.  xiv.  14. 

5.  Q.  Was  it  the  contrivance  of  infinite  wisdom  ? 

A.  Yes :  it  is  the  wisdom  of  God  in  a  mystery,  ordained 
before  the  world  for  our  glory.  1  Cor.  ii.  7. 

6.  Q.  Has  he  provided  a  way  for  our  recovery  1 
A.  Yes  :  I  have  found  a  ransom.  Job.  xxxiii. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  particularly  design  the  salvation  of  a  remnant 
of  mankind  ? 

A.  Yes  :  there  is  a  remnant  according  to  the  election  of  grace. 
Rom.  xi.  5. 

2.  Q.  Are  there  some  whom  God  has  chosen  ? 

A.  Yes :  God  hath  from  the  beginning,  chosen  you  to  salva- 
tion, through  sanctification  of  the  spirit.  2  Thess.  ii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  there  a  certain  number  of  such  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  their  names  are  in  the  book  of  life.  Philipp.  iv.  3. 
Rev.  xiii.  8. 

4 .  Q.  Were  they  chosen  from  eternity  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  hath  chosen  us  in  him  before  the  foundation  of 
the  world.  Ephes.  i.  4 

5.  Q.  Were  they  chosen  for  the  sake  of  any  thing  in  them- 
selves? 

A.  No:  ye  have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have  chosen  you.  John 
xv.  16. 

6.  Q.  But  of  his  mere  good  pleasure  ? 

A.  Yes :    he   hath  predestinated  us  according  to  the  good 
pleasure  of  his  will.  Ephes.  i.  5. 

7.  Q.  Were  they  chosen  to  salvation,  as  the  end  ? 

A.  Yes  :  God  had  appointed  us  to  obtain  salvation.  1  Thess. 
v.  9. 

8.  Q.  And  to  sanctification  as  the  means  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  has  chosen  us,  that  we  should  be  holy.  Ephes. 
i.4. 

9.  Q.  Was  it  for  the  glory  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  that  he  might  make  known  the  riches  of  Ins  glory 
on  the  vessels  of  mercy.  Rom.  ix.  23. 

§  IT. 

1.  Q,  Shall  the  election  obtain? 

A.  Yes :  The  purpose  of  God  according  to  election,  shall 
stand.  Rom.  ix.  11. 

2.  Q.  Does  our  salvation  begin  there  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  ■      43 

A.  Yes :  we  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us.  1  John  iv. 
19. 

3.  Q.  Are  others  passed  by  ? 

A.  Yes:  when  the  election  hath  ubtained,  the  iest  are  blinded. 
Rom.  xi.  7. 

4.  Q.  Does  God  know  certainly  whom  he  has  chosen  ? 

A.  Ye9  :  the  Lord  knows  them  that  are  his.    2  Tim.  ii.  19. 

5.  Q.  Do  we  know  it  ? 

A.  No:  for  secret  things  belong  not  to  us.  Deut.  xxix.  29. 

6.  Q.  Can  we  know  our  own  election  otherwise  than  by  our 
being  sanctified  ? 

A.  No:  we  must  make  our  calling  and  so  make  our  election 
sure.  2  Pet.  i.  10. 

§^. 

1.  Q.  Were  the  elect  given  to  Christ? 

A.  Yes:  thine  they  were,  and  thou  gavest  them  me.  John 
xvii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  undertake  their  salvation  1 

A.  Yes:  for  this  is  the  father's  will,  that  of  all  which  he 
hath  given  me,  I  should  lose  nothing.  John  vi.  39. 

3.  Q.  Was  it  promised  him  that  he  should  effect  it  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  shall  see  his  seed,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord 
shall  prosper  in  his  hand.  Isa.  liii.  10. 

4.  Q.  And  was  he  himself  assured  of  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  all  that  the  Father  giveth  me,  shall  come  to  me. 
John  vi.  37. 

5.  Q.  And  does  it  always  prove  so  ? 

A.  Yes:  as  many  as  were  ordained  to  eternal  life  believed. 
Acts  xiii.  48. 

6.  Q.  And  shall  any  of  them  miscarry  ? 

A.  No:  for  it  is  said  of  seducers,  they  shall  deceive,  if  it 
■were  possible,  the  very  elect.  Matt.  xxiv.  24. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Has  God  entered  into  a  new  covenant,  pursuant  hereto? 
A.  Yes  :  for  we  are   not  under  the  law  but  under  grace. 

Rom.  vi.  14. 

2.  Q.  I,-  >es  he  insist  upon  the  terms  of  the  first  covenant? 
A.  No:  he  hath  not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins.  Ps.  ciii.  10. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  willing  to  deal  with  us  upon  new  terms? 

A.  Yes :  I  will  make  a  new  covenant  with  them.  Jer.  xxxi, 

si. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  willing  to  be  ours  in  covenant  ? 


44  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  I  will  be  to  them  a  God.  Heb.  viii.  10. 

5.  Q.  Will  he  accept  us  as  his  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  shall  be  to  me  a  people.  Heb.  viii.  10. 

6.  Q.  And  will  he  be  at  peace  with  us  ? 

A.    iTes  :  God  was  in   Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself.  2  Cor.  v.  19. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Is  this  wrought  out  by  a  Redeemer  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  there  is  not  salvation  in  any  other.  Acts.  iv.  12. 

2.  Q.  Was  that  Redeemer  of  God's  own  providing  ? 

A.  Yes  :    God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only 
begotten  Son.  John  iii.  16. 

3.  Q.  Is  the  new  covenant  made  with  us  in  Christ  ? 

A,  Yes  :  for  he  is  the  mediator  of  the  better  covenant.  Heb. 
viii.  6. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  covenant  much  for  our  advantage  f* 

A.  Yes:  for  it  is  well  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure.  2  Sam. 
xxiii.  5. 

5.  Q.  Is  perfect  obedience  the  condition  of  it  ? 

A.  No :  for  if  by  grace,  then  it  is  no  more  of  works.  Rom. 
xi.  6. 

6.  Q.  Is  faith  the  condition  of  it? 

A.  Yes  :  for  by  grace  ye  are  saved,  through  faith.  Ephes.  ii.  8. 

7.  Q.  Is  sincerity  accepted  as  our  gospel  perfection  ! 

A.  Yes :  walk  before  me,  and  be  thou  perfect.  Gen.  xvii. 

8.  Q.  Is  that  which  is  required  in  the  covenant,  promised  in 
the  covenant  i* 

A.  Yes :  I  will  cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes.  Ezek. 
xxxvi.  27. 

9.  Q.  Does  every  transgression  in  the  covenant  cast  us  out 
of  the  covenant  ? 

A.  No:  I  will  visit  their  transgression  with  a  rod,   but  my 
loving  kindness  will  I  not  utterly  take  away.  Ps.  Ixxxix.  32, 33. 
§vni. 

1.  Q.  Will  this  covenant  deliver  us  out  of  a  state  of  sin  and 
misery  1 

A.  Yes :  whosoever  believes  in  Christ  shall  not  perish.  John 
iii.  16. 

2.  Q.   Will  it  bring  us  into  a  state  of  salvation  ? 

A.  Ye3:  he  that  believeth  on  the  Son  hath  everlasting  lifr 
John  iii.  36. 

3.  Q.  And  can  we  desire  any  more  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  45 

A.  No:  It  is  all  my  salvation,  and  all  my  desire.  2  Sam. 
xxiii.  5. 

§ix. 

1.  Q.  Was  there  intimation  given  to  Adam,  of  this  way  of 
salvation  by  a  Redeemer? 

A.  Yes:  for  it  was  said  to  him,  that  the  seed  of  the  woman 
should  break  the  serpent's  head.  Gen.  iii.  15. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  made  known  to  the  Old  Testament  saints  } 

A.  Yes:  for  of  this  salvation  have  the  prophets  inquired,  and 
searched  diligently.   1  Pet  i.  10. 

3.  Q.  But  is  it  brought  to  a  clearer  light  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment] 

A.  Yes :  go  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that 
believeth  shall  be  saved,  and  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be 
damned.  Mark  xvi.  15,  1G. 

4.  Q.  Is  this  good  news  to  fallen  man  ? 

A.  Yes  :  glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace,  good 
will  towards  men.  Luke  ii.  14. 

5.  Q.  Does  this  covenant  exclude  any  that  do  not  exclude 
themselves? 

A.  No :  whosoever  will,  let  him  come,  and  take  of  the  water 
of  life  freely.  Rev.  xxii.  17. 

XXI.  Q.  Who  is  the  Redeemer  of  God's 
elect  ? 

A.  The  only  Redeemer  of  God's  elect  is  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who,  being  the  Eternal  Sou 
of  God,  became  man,  and  so  was,  and  continu- 
eth  to  be,  God  and  man  in  two  distinct  natures, 
and  one  person,  forever. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Did  mankind  need  a  Redeemer? 

A.  Yes:  for  by  our  iniquities  we  had  sold  ourselves.  Isa.  1.  1. 

2.  Q.  Did  the  elect,  themselves,  need  a  Redeemer  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  ourselves  also  were  sometimes  disobedient. 
Tit.  iii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Would  theie  have  been  a  Redeemer,  if  Adam  had  not 
sinned  ? 

A.  No  :  for  they  that  be  whole  need  not  a  physician.  Mat. 
ix.   12. 

4.  Q.  Could  an  angel  have  been  our  Redeemer? 


46  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No:  for  his  angels  he  charged  with  folly.  Job  iv.  18. 
§n. 

1 .  Q.  Is  Jesus  Christ  the  Redeemer  ? 

A.  Yes :  there  is  one  mediator  between  God  end  man,  the 
man  Christ  Jesus.    1  Tim.  ii.  5. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  the  only  Redeemer  1 

A.  Yes :  for  there  is  no   other  name   under  Heaven  given 
among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved.  Acts,  iv.  12. 
*  *  #  *  #  * 

3.  Q.  Did  he  die,  to  purchase  a  general  offer  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  Son  of  man  was  lifted  up,  tbat  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  in  him  should  not  perish.  John  iii.  14,  15. 

4.  Q.  Is  all  the  world  the  better  for  Christ's  mediation? 
A.  Yes :  for,  by  him,  all  things  consist.  Col.  i.  ]  7. 

5.  Q,  Is  it  the  faultf  of  Christ,  then,  that  so  many  perish  1 
A.  No  :  I  would  have  gathered  you,  and  you  would  not. 

Matt,  xxiii.  37. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  Christ,  in  a  special  manner,  the  Redeemer  of  God's 
elect  1 

A.  Yes:  I  lay  down  my  life  for  the  sheep.  John  x.  15. 

2.  Q.  Was  their  salvation  particularly  designed  in  Christ's 
undertaking  1 

A.  Yes :  thou  hast  given  him  power  over  all  flesh,  that  he 
should  give  eternal  life  to  as  many  as  thou  hast  given  him.  John 
xvii.  2. 

3.  Q.  Was  their  san education  particularly  designed  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  their  sakes,  I  sanctify  myself,  that  they  also 
might  be  sanctified.  John  xvii.  19. 

4.  Q.  Is  all  mankind  redeemed  from  among  devils  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  none  must  say  as  they  did,  "  What  have  we  to 
do  with  thee,  Jesus,  thou  Son  of  God?"  Matt.  viii.  29. 

5.  Q.  But,  are  the  elect  redeemed  from  among  men  ? 


*  Here,  one  of  the  questions,  found  in  the  London  Edition  is 
omitted.    See  Editor's  Preface.  Lnixoi  . 

■f  The  expression  here  used  in  Henry's  miscellaneous  woiks, 
is  "  Is  it  long  of  Christ,  the?i"  &c.  Believing  this  to  i>e  ei- 
ther a  misprint,  or  an  antiquated  phrase,  I  have  taken  the  liberty 
of  changing  it,  so  as  to  be  better  understood.  Ed. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  4? 

A.  Yes  :  these  were  redeemed  from  among  men.  Rev.  xiv.  4 
§IY. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  Redeemer,  Lord  1 

A.  Yes:  every  tongue  shall  confess,  that   Jesus   Christ  is 
Lord.  Phillippii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Is  he,  Jesus,  a  Saviour  ? 

A.  Yes  :  thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus,  for  he  shall  save  his 
people  from  their  sins.  Matt.  i.  21. 

3.  Is  he  Christ  anointed  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for,  God,  even  thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee.  Heb. 
i.  9. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  Emmanuel? 

A.  Yes  :  They  shall  call  his  name  Emmanuel,  which,  being 
interpreted,  is  God  with  us.  Matt.  i.  23. 

§T. 

1.  Q.  Is  he  the  Son  of  God? 

A.  Yes :  thou  art  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God.  Matt, 
xvi.   16. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  the  eternal  Son  of  God  ? 

A:  Yes  :  for  he  is  before  all  things.  Col.  i.  17. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  God  1 

A.  Yes.  unto  the  Son,  he  says,  Thy  throne,  O  God,  is  for 
ever  and  ever.     Heb.  i.  8. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  true  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  is  the  true  God,  and  eternal 
life.  1  John  v.  20. 

5.  Q.  Is  he  the  most  high  God  ! 

A.  Yes  :  for,  Christ  is  over  all,  God,  blessed,  for  ever.  Rom. 
ix.  5. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  equal  with  the  Father  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God. 
Philipp,  ii.  6. 

7.  Q.  Is  he  one  with  the  Father  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  and  my  Father  are  one.  John  x.  30. 

8.  Q.  Is  he  to  be  worshipped,  as  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  all  men  should  honor  the  Son  even  as  they 
honor  the  Father.  John  v.  23. 

9.  Q.  Is  he  worshipped  by  the   angels  1 

A.  Yes :  let  all  the  angels  of  God  worship  him.  Heb.  i.  6. 

10.  Q.  And  is  there  good  reason  for  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  be  is  the  brightness  of  his  Father's  glory.  Heb 
i.  3. 


H&  '  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

11.  Q.  Is  he  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  We  beheld  his  glory,  the  giory  as  of  the  only  begot 
ten  of  the  Father.  John  i.  14. 

12.  Q.  Was  he  begotten  of  his  Father  before  all  worlds  ? 
A.  Yes:  Thou  art  my   son,  this  day  have  I  begotten  thee. 

Ps.  ii.  7. 

§  VI. 

1 .  Q.  Did  the  Son  of  God  become  man  1 

A.  Yes :  The  word  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us. 
John  i.  14. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  come  into  this  world  1 

A  Yes  :  he  came  forth  from  the  Father,  and  came  into  the 
world.  John  xvi.  28. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  come  in  the  fittest  time  1 

A.  Yes  :  when  the  fulness  of  time  was  come,,  God  sent  forth 
his  son.  Gal.  iv.  4. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  come,  with  a  full  commission  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  father  sanctified  him,  and  sent  him  into  the 
world.  John  x.  36. 

5*  Q.  Did  he  come,  to  save  us  ] 

A.  Yes :  the  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost.  Luke,  xix.  10. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  come  to  conquer  Satan  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  this  purpose  was  the  Son   of  God  manifested 
that  he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil.   ]  John  iii.  8. 
§  v  II. 

1.  Q.  Did  the  Redeemer  take  our  nature  upon  him  > 

A.  Yes  :  he  was  found  in  fashion  as  a  man.  Philipp.  ii.  8. 

2.  Q.  Had  he  a  being  before  his  incarnation  1 

A.  Yes  :  before  Abraham  was,  I  am.  John  viii.  58. 

3.  Q.  Had  he  a  being  before  the  world  r" 

A.  Yes  :  for,  the  same  was,  in  the  beginning,  with  God. 
John,  i.  2. 

4.  Q.  Is  not  his  incarnation  a  great  mystery  ? 

A.  Yes  :  without  controversy,  great  is  the  mystery  of  godli- 
ness, God  manifest  in  the  flesh.   1  Tim.  iii.  16. 

5.  Q.   Is  it  necessary  that  we  believe  it? 

A.   Yes  :   for  he  that  confesseth  not  that  Jesus  Christ  is  come 
in  the  flesh,  is  not  of  God.   1  John  iv.  3. 

6.  Q.   Was  Jesus  Christ  God,  even  when  he  was  upon  earth  ? 
A.  Yes :  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me.  John 

xiv.  11. 

7.  Q.  I«  he  man,  now  he  is  in  Heaven  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  49 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  that  descended  is  the  same  also  that  ascended. 
Ephes.  iv.  10. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  Redeemer  both  God  and  man  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  to  us,  a  child  is  born,  to  us  a  son  is  given,  and 
he  shall  be  called  the  mighty  God,  the  everlasting  Father.  Isa 
ix.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  both  the  Son  of  God  and  the  son  of  man  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  was  the  son  of  Adam,  he  was  the  Son  of  God, 
Luke  hi.  38. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  continue  to  be  so  ? 

A .  Yes :  for  Jesus  Christ  is  the  same,  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
forever.  Heb.  xiii.  8. 

4.  Q.  Was  he  man,  that  he  might  suffer  1 

A.  Yes:  for  without  shedding  of  blood,  is  no  remission.  Heb 
ix.  22. 

5.  Q.  Was  he  God  that  he  might  satisfy  1 

A.  Yes:  for  God  has  purchased  the  church  with  his  own 
blood.  Acts  xx.  28. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  God  and  man  in  two  distinct  natures  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  is  both  the  root  and  offspring  of  David.  Rev 
xxii.  16,  compared  with  Matt.  xxii.  45. 

7.  Q.  Is  he  so  in  one  person  1 

A.  Yes :  for  to  us  there  is  but  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
whom  are  all  things,  and  we  by  him.  1  Cor.  viii.  6. 

8.  Q.  Is  he  so,  forever ! 

A.  Yes:  he  is  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end- 
ing, the  first  and  the  last.  Rev.  xxii.  13. 
§ix. 

1.  Q.  Is  this  Jesus  the  true  Messiah  promised  to  the  Fathers  ? 
A.  Yes :  we  know  that  this  is,  indeed,  the  Christ,  the  Saviour 

of  the  world.  John  iv.  42. 

2.  Q.  Were  the  scriptures  fulfilled  in  him  1 

A.  Yes  :  to  him  give  all  the  prophets  witness.  Acts  x.  43. 

3.  Q.  Did  his  miracles  prove  his  doctrine  1 

A.  Yes :  the  works  that  I  do  bear  witness  of  me,  that  the 
Father  hath  sent  me.  John  v.  36. 

4.  Q.  Did  the  Father  himself  bear  witness  of  him  1 

A.  Yes  :  by  a  voice  from  heaven  saying,  This  is  my  beloved 
Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased;  hear»ye  him.  Matt.  xvii.  5. 

5.  Q.  May  we  venture  our  souls  upon  this  foundation  1 

A.  Yes :  for  this  is  the  record  that  God  hath  given  to  us 
eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son.  1  John  v.  11. 
4 


50  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

XXII.  Q.  How  did  Christ,  being  the  Son  of 
God  become  man  ? 

Ji.  Christ  the  Son  of  God,  became  man,  by- 
taking  to  himself  a  true  body,  and  a  reasonable 
soul,  being  conceived  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  in  the  womb  of  the  Virgin  Mary  and  born 
of  her,  yet  without  sin. 

ft  i. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  the  Son  of  God.  become  man  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  as  much  as  the  children  are  partakers  of  flesh 
and  blood,  he  also  himself  likewise  took  part  of  the  same. 
Heb.  ii.  14. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  requisite  he  should  become  man  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  in  all  things,  it  behoved  him  to  be  made  like 
unto  his  brethren.  Heb.  ii  17. 

3.  Q.  Has  the  Son  of  man  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead'? 

A.  Yes:  for  in  him  dwells  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead 
bodily.  Col.  ii.  9. 

4.  Q.  Has  the  Son  of  God  the  tenderness  of  a  man  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  was  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities. 
Heb.  iv.  15. 

§  ii. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  take  unto  himself  a  true  body  1 
A.  Yes:  a  body  hast  thou  prepared  me.  Heb.  x.  5. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  a  body  like  unto  ours  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  was  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh.  Rom.  viii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  take  to  himself  a  human  soul  ] 

A.  Yes:  for  he  said,  my  soul  is  exceedingly  sorrowful.  Matt, 
xxvi.  38. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Was  he  conceived  bv  ordinary  generation  1 

A.  No  :  for  he  said,  ye  aAe  from  beneath,  I  am  from  above. 
John  viii.  23. 

2.  Q.  Was  he  conceived  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 
A.  Yes  :  the  Holy  Ghost  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  the  power 

of  the  highest  shall  overshadow  thee.  Luke  i.  35. 

3.  0.  Was  he  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary  1 

A.  Yes :  the  scripture  was  fulfilled,  behold  a  virgin  shall  be 
with  child,  and  bring  forth  a  son,  Matt.  i.  23. 

4.  Q,  Was  his  conception  and  birth  supernatural  1 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  51 

A.  Yes:  that  which  was  coneeived  in  the  Virgin  Mary  was 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Matt.  i.  20. 

5.   Q.  Yet,  was  he  really  and  truly  man  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  is  not  ashamed  to  call  us  brethren.  Heb.  ii.  11. 

§  iy. 

1.  Q.  Was  Christ  the  seed  of  the  woman  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  was  made  of  a  woman.  Gal.  iv.  4, 

2.  Q.  Was  the  scripture  therein  fulfilled  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  seed  of  the  woman  must  break  the  serpent's 
head.  Gen.  iii.  15. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  the  son  of  Abraham  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  took  on  him  the  seed  of  Abraham.  Heb.  ii. 
16. 

4.  Q.  Was  the  scripture  therein  fulfilled  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  was  said  to  Abraham,  in  thy  seed  shall  all 
families  of  the  earth  be  blessed.  Gen.  xii.  3. 

5.  Q.  Was  he  the  son  of  David  1 

A.  Yes  :  hosanna  to  the  son  of  David.  Matt.  xxi.  9. 

6.  Q.  Was  the  scripture  therein  fulfilled  ] 

A.  Yes:  he  hath  raised  up  a  horn  of  salvation  for  us  in  the 
house  of  his  servant  David,  as  he  spake  by  the  mouth  of  all  his 
holy  prophets.  Luke  i.  69,  70. 

§t. 

1.  Q.  Was  Christ  born  in  Bethlehem? 

A.  Yes  :  to  you  is  born  this  day,  in  the  city  of  David,  a 
saviour.  Luke.  ii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Was  he  born  among  the  Jews  1 

A.  Yes:  of  them  as  concerning  the  flesh,  Christ  came.  Rom- 
ix.  5. 

3.  Q.  And  was  it  the  honour  of  that  nation  1 

A.  Yes  :  he  was  the  glory  of  his  people  Israel.  Luke  ii.  32. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  come  when  the  Messiah  was  expected  1 

A.  Yes:  they  then  looked  for  redemption  in  Jerusalem. 
Luke  ii.  38. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  come  when  the  sceptre  was  departed  from 
Judah  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  there  then  went  out  a  decree  that  all  the  world 
should  be  taxed.  Luke  ii.  1. 

6.  Q.  Did  the  angels  attend  him  at  his  birth  ? 

A.  Yes :  there  was  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host,  praising 
God.  Luke  ii.  13. 


52  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q    Was  the  Redeemer  born  in  sin,  as  we  are  ? 
A.  No:  he  was  without  sin.  Hcb.  iv.  15. 

2.  Q.  Was  he  perfectly  pure  and  holy  ? 

A.  Yes :  that  holy  thing  which  shall  be  born  of  thee,  shall 
be  called  the  Son  of  God.  Luke  i.  35. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  pure  and  holy  in  his  whole  life  1 

A.  Yes:  he  did  no  sin  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth. 
1  Pet.  ii.  22. 

4.  Q.  Was  it  requisite  he  should  be  so  1 

A.  Yes :    such   a  High  Priest  became  us,  that   was  holy, 
harmless,  and  undefiled.  Heb.  vii.  26. 

5.  Q.  Could  he  have  satisfied  for  our  sin,  if  he  had  had  any 
sin  of  his  own  1 

A.  No,:  for  he  must  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  offer  himself 
without  spot.  Heb.  ix.  14. 

§  VII. 

1 .  Q.  Was  he  subject  to  the  sinless  infirmities  of  our  natures  1 
A.  Yes:  he  was  in  all  points,  tempted  like  as  we  are.  Heb. 

iv.  15, 

2.  Q.  Was  he  hungry  1 

A.  Yes :  when  he  had  fasted  forty  days,  and  forty  nights,  he 
was  afterwards  an  hungered.  Matt.  iv.  2. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  weary  1 

A.  Yes:  being  weary  with  his  journe}'-  he  sat  on  the  well. 
John  iv.  6. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  sleep  1 

A.  Yes :  when  the  ship  was  covered  with  waves,  he  was 
asleep.  Matt.  viii.  24. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  pass  through  the  ages  of  human  life  1 

A.  Yes:  for  Jesus  increased  in  wisdom  and  stature.  Luke 
ii.  52. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Was  the  Redeemer  willing  to  be  incarnate  for  us? 

A.  Yes:  for  when  he  cometh  into  the  world,  he  saith,  Lo,  I 
come  to  do  thy  will,  O  God.  Heb.  x.  5.  7. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  well  for  us,  that  he  was  so  1 

A.  Yes:  for,  by  this  will,  we  are  sanctified.  Heb.  x.  10. 

3.  Q.  Was  Christ's  incarnation  great  condescension  in  him  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  hereby  he  was  made  a  little  lower  than  the 

angels.  Heb.  ii.  9. 

4.  Q.  Was  it  a  great  honour  to  our  nature  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  53 

A.  Yes :  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ?  Heb. 
ii.  6. 

5.   Q.  Is  it  good  news  to  mankind  1 

A.  Yes:  this  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  accepta- 
tion, that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world,  to  save  sinners. 
1  Tim.  i.  15. 

XXIII.  Q.  What  offices  doth  Christ  execute, 
as  our  Redeemer  ? 

A.  Christ  as  our  Redeemer  executeth  the  offi- 
ces of  a  prophet,  of  a  priest,  and  of  a  king,  both 
in  his  estate  of  humiliation  and  exaltation. 
§i- 

1.  Q.  Is  Christ  a  complete  Redeemer? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  pleased  the  Father,  that  in  him  should  all  ful- 
ness dwell.  Col.i.  19. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  completely  qualified  for  the  undertaking  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  God  giveth  not  the  spirit  by  measure,  unto  him. 
John  iii.  34. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  authorized  for  it? 

A.  Yes :  for  all  things  are  delivered  to  him,  of  the  Father. 
Matt.  xi.  27. 

4.  Q.  Has  he  a  full  commission  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  Father  judgeth  no  man ;  but  has  committed 
all  judgment  to  the  Son.  John  v.  22. 

5.  Q.  And  has  he  an  ability  equal  to  his  authority  1 

A.  Yes:  for  as  the  Father  hath  life  in  himself,  so  hath  he 
given  to  the  Son,  to  have  life  in  himself.  John  v.  26. 

§IT. 

1.  Q.  Is  there  all  that  in  Christ,  which  fallen  man  stands  in 
need  of  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all.  Col.  iii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  light  1 

A.  Yes:  I  am  the  light  of  the  world.  John  viii.  12. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  life  1 

A.  Yes:  in  him  was  life ;  and  the  life  was  the  light  of  men. 
John  i.  4. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  our  peace  1 

A.  Yes :  he  is  our  peace.  Eph.  ii.  14. 

5.  Q.  Is  he  our  head? 

A.  Yes :  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church.  Col.  i.  18. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  the  door  ] 


54  SCRIPTURE    CATECHJSM. 

A.  Yes :  I  am  the  door  of  the  sheep.  John  x.  7. 

7.  Q.  Is  he  the  way  1 

J..  Yes:  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life.  John  xiv.  6. 

8.  Q.  Can  we  come  to  God,  as  a  Father,  otherwise  than  by 
Jesus  Christ,  as  Mediator  1 

A.  No:  for  no  man  cometh  to  the  Father  but  by  me.  John 
xiv.  6. 

9.  Q.  Is  he  our  food  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  am  that  bread  of  life.  John  vi.  48. 

10.  Q.  Is  he  our  friend] 

A.  This  is  my  beloved,  and  this  is  my  friend.  Song  of  Solomon 
v.  16. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  Jesus  Christ  a  Redeemer  in  office  1 

A.  Yes :  for  God  hath  exalted  him  with  his  own  right  hand, 
to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour.  Acts  v.  31. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  duly  put  in  office  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  him  hath  God  the  Father  sealed.  John  vi.  27. 

3.  Q    Does  he  duly  execute  his  office  ! 

A.  Yes :  for  he  was  faithful  to  him  that  appointed  him.  Heb. 
hi.  2. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  a  prophet  ? 

A.  Yes :  This  is,  of  a  truth,  that  prophet  that  should  come 
into  the  world.  John  vi.  14. 

5.  Q.  Is  he  a  Priest  > 

A.  Yes :  he  is  the  Apostle,  and  High  Priest  of  our  profession. 
Heb.  hi.  1. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  a  King  1 

A.  Yes:  he  is  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.  Rev. 
xix.  16. 

§iv. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  execute  these  offices  in  his  state  of  humilia- 
tion'? 

A.  Yes :  I  have  glorified  thee  on  the  earth.  John  xvh.  4. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  execute  them  in  his  state  of  exaltation ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  in  Heaven  itself,  he  now  appears,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God,  for  us.  Heb.  ix.  24. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  then,  an  all-sufficient  Saviour  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost,  all  those  that 
come  to  God  by  him.  Heb.  vii.  25. 

4.  Q.  And  is  he  as  willing  to  save,  as  he  is  able  1 

A.  Yes  :  him  that  cometh  unto  me, I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out. 
John  vi.  37. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  55 

XXIV.  Q.  How  doth  Christ  execute  the  office 
of  a  Prophet? 

J2.  Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  Prophet, 
in  revealing  to  us,  by  his  Word  and  Spirit,  the 
will  of  God  for  our  salvation. 
§i. 

1.  (     Does  Christ  execute  the  office  of  a  Prophet? 

A.  Yes:  we  know  that  thou  art  a  teacher  come  from  God. 
John  iii.  2. 

2.  U.  Does  God  speak  to  us,  by  him  1 

A.  Yes :  he  hath,  in  these  last  days,  spoken  to  us,  by  his 
Son.  Heb.  i.  2. 

3.  Q.  Were  there  Prophets  under  the  Old  Testament  ? 
A.  Yes  :  God  sent  his  servants,  the  Prophets.  Jer.  xxv.  4. 

4.  Q.  But,  was  Christ  above  them  all  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  He  is  the  Lord  God  of  the  holy  Prophets.  Rev. 
xxii.  G. 

5.  Q.  And  were  they  his  agents  ? 

A.  Yes :  it  was  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  in  them,  that  testified. 
1  Pet.  i.  11. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Was  Moses  the  great  type  of  Christ,  as  a  Prophet? 
A.  Yes :  a  prophet  shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise  up  unto 

you,  of  your  brethren,  like  unto  me.  Acts  iii.  22. 

2.  Q.  But  was  Christ  greater  than  Moses  % 

A.  Yes:  for  Moses  was  faithful  as  a  servant;  but  Christ,  as 
a  Son.  Heb.  iii.  5,  6. 

3.  Q.  And  is  the  doctrine  of  Christ  better  than  that  of  Moses  1 
A.  Yes :  for  the  law  was  given  by  Moses ;  but  grace  and 

truth  came  by  Jesus  Christ.  John  i.  17. 

4.  Q.  Was  Christ  completely  qualified  to  be  a  Prophet  1 

A,  Yes:  for  in  Him  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and 
knowledge.  Col.  ii.  3. 

5.  Q.  Was  ever  any  other  so  well  qualified  ? 

A.  No :  for  no  man  knows  the  Father,  but  the  Son.  Matt-xi. 
27. 

§iii. 

1.  Q.  Has  Christ,  as  a  Prophet,  revealed  God's  will  to  us  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  He  said,  my  doctrine  is  not  mine,  but  his  that 

sent  me.  John  vii.  16,  and  xii.  49,  50. 

2.  Q.  Has  he  revealed  God's  will,  concerning  our  duty  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  He  did  not  come  to  destroy  the  law,  but  to  ful- 
fil. Matt.  v.  17. 


56  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

3.   Q.  And  concerning  our  happiness  } 
A.  Yes :  for  he  was  anointed  to  preach  the  acceptable  year 
of  the  Lord.  Luke  iv.  19. 

§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  execute  this  office,  when  he  was  on  earth  1 
A.  Yes:  for  He  taught  them  as  one  having  authority.  Matt. 

vii.  29. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  introduce  his  doctrine  with  "  Thus  saith  the 
Lord,"  like  the  Old  Testament  Prophets  1 

A.  No:  but  "Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you."  John  hi.  3. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  confirm  his  doctrine,  by  miracles? 

A.  Yes :  believe  me,  (said  he,)   for  the  very  works'  sake. 
Johnxiv.  11. 

4.  Q.  Were  his  miracles  many  ? 

A.  Yes :  many  signs  did  Jesus,  in  the  presence  of  his  disci- 
ples. John  xx.  30. 

5.  Q.  Were  they  profitable  1 

A.  Yes :  He  went  about,  doing  good.  Acts  x.  38. 

6.  Q.  Did  Christ  teach  by  the  example  of  his  life  ? 

A.  Yes:  that  we  might  follow  his  steps.   1  Pet.  ii.  21. 

§T. 

1.  Q.  Does  he  still  execute  this  office  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  He  said,  I  have  declared  thy  name  unto  them, 
and  will  declare  it.  John  xvii.  26. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  reveal  God's  will  to  us,  by  his  Word  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  these  things  are  written,  that  we  may  believe. 
John  xx.  31. 

3.  Q.  And  by  his  Spirit  1 

A.  Yes :  the  comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  He  shall 
teach  you  all  things.  John  xiv.  26. 

4.  Q.  Does  Jesus  Christ  teach  his  people  ? 

A.  Yes :  all  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord.  Isa. 
liv.  13. 

5.  Q.  And  does  he  teach  effectually  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  Son  of  God  is  come,  and  hath  given  us  an 
understanding.  1  John  v.  20. 

6.  Q.  And  does  he  teach  compassionately  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  He  can  have  compassion  on  the  ignorant.  Heb. 
v.  2. 

§  VI. 

1.   Q.  Must  we  learn  of  this  teacher? 

A.  Yes :  learn  of  me ;  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart. 
Matt.  xi.  29. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  57 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  receive  his  doctrine  ? 

A.  Yes :  let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly.  Col.  iii. 
16. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  abide  in  it  ? 

A.  Yes:  if  ye  continue  in  my  word,  then  are  ye  my  disciples 
indeed.  John  viii.  31. 

XXV.  Q.  How  doth  Christ  execute  the  office 
of  a  Priest  ? 

Ji.  Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  Priest,  in 
his  once  offering  up  of  himself  a  sacrifice  to  sat- 
isfy divine  justice,  and  reconcile  us  to  God;  and 
in  making  continual  intercession  for  us. 

1 .  Q.  Did  fallen  man  need  a  Priest  1 

A.  Yes :  for  every  high  priest  is  ordained  for  man,  in  things 
pertaining  to  God.  Heb.  v.  I. 

2.  Q.  Did  Christ  execute  the  office  of  a  Priest? 

A.  Yes :  we  have  a  great  High  Priest,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God. 
Heb.  iv.  14. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  appointed  to  this  office  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  glorified  not  himself  to  be  made  a  high- 
priest.  Heb.  v.  5. 

4.  Q.  Was  he  confirmed  in  this  office  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  Lord  sware,  and  will  not  repent,  thou  art  a 
Priest  forever.  Heb.  vii.  21. 

§u. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ,  as  a  Priest,  make  atonement  for  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  is  a  merciful  and  faithful  High  Priest,  to  make 
reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people.  Heb.  ii,  17. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  do  this  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself? 

A.  Yes :  He  appeared,  to  put  away  sin,  by  the  sacrifice  of 
himself.  Heb.  ix.  26. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  himself  the  Priest  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  through  the  Eternal  Spirit,  he  offered  himself. 
Heb.  ix.  14. 

4.  Q.  Was  he  himself  the  sacrifice  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  made  his  soul  an  offering  for  sin.  Isa.  liii.  10. 

5.  Q.  Was  he  himself  the  altar? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  have  an  altar.  Heb.  xiii.  10. 

6.  Q.  Would  not  the  legal  sacrifices  serve  ? 


58  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No :  for  it  was  not  possible  that  the  blood  of  bulls  and 
goats  should  take  away  sin.  Heb.  x.  4. 

7.  Q.  Did  God  declare  them  insuiRcient  ? 

Jl.  Yes :  sacrifice  and  offering  thou  wouldst  not.  Heb.  x.  5. 

8.  Q.  Was  this  sacrifice  necessary,  then  ? 

A.  Yes :  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak,  that 
Christ  did.  Rom.  viii.  3. 

§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Did  Christ,  as  a  sacrifice,  bear  our  sins  ? 

Jl.  Yes  :  His  own  self  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the 
tree.   1  Pet.  ii.  24. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  bear  them  by  the  Father's  appointment? 

Jl.  Yes:  the  Lord  laid  on  him  the  iniquities  of  us  all.  Isa. 
liii.  6. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  suffer  for  them  1 

A.  Yes :  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  and  bruised 
for  our  iniquities.  Isa.  liii.  5. 

4.  Q.  And  not  for  any  sin  of  his  own  1 

A.  No :  Messiah  shall  be  cut  off,  but  not  for  himself.  Dan. 
ix.  26. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  suffer,  to  satisfy  for  sin  ? 

Jl.  Yes  :  He  was  once  offered,   to  bear  the  sins  of  many, 
Heb.  ix.  28. 

6.  Q.  And  was  the  satisfaction  accepted  ] 

A.  Yes :  He  gave  himself  for  us,  a  sacrifice  to  God,  of  a 
sweet  smelling  savour.  Ephes.  v.  2. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  offer  himself  voluntarily  1 

A.  Yes  :  no  man  taketh  my  life  from  me,  but  I  lay  it  down 
of  myself.  John  x.  18. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  his  own  act  and  deed,  to  make  his  soul  an 
offering  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  said,  Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my 
spirit.  Luke  xxiii.  46. 

3.  Q.  Did  this  sacrifice  need  to  be  repeated  1 

A.  No :  for  by  one  offering,  he  perfected  forever  them  that 
are  sanctified.  Heb.  x.  14. 

4.  Q.  Did  Christ  do  this  for  the  purchase  of  our  pardon  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  when  he  did  it,  he  said,  Father,  forgive  them. 
Luke  xxiii.  34. 

5.  Q.  Was  it  designed  to  save  us  from  ruin  1 

J.  Yes  :  He  gave  his  life  a  ransom  for  many.  Matt.  xx.  28. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  59 

6.  Q.  And  to  reconcile  us  to  God  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  made  peace  through  the  blood  of  his  cross. 
Col.  i.  20. 

7.  Q.  Is  this  our  plea  for  peace  and  pardon  ? 

A.  Yes:  who  is  he  that  condemns]     It  is  Christ  that  died. 
Rom.  viii.  34. 

8.  Q.  Is  Christ,  then,  the  great  propitiation  1 

A.  Yes :  He  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours; 
only,  but  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.   1  John  ii.  2. 

9.  Q.  And  have  we  hereby  access  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  He  suffered,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might 
bring  us  to  God.   1  Pet.  hi.  18. 

10.  Q.  And  had  the  Old  Testament  saints  the  benefit  of  this 
sacrifice] 

A.  Yes:  for  he  was  the  lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world.  Rev.  xiii.  8. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Does  Christ,  as  a  Priest,  make  intercession  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  bare  the  sin  of  many,  and  made  intercession 
for  the  transgressors.  Isa.  liii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  always  doing  this  ] 

A.  Yes  :  He  ever  lives  making  intercession.  Heb.  vii.  25. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  do  this  as  an  advocate  ? 

A.  Yes  :  If  any  man  sin   we  have   an  advocate  with   the 
Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous.  1  John  ii.  1. 

4.  Q.  And  as  a  High  Priest  ] 

A.  Yes  :  Aaron  shall  bear  their  names  before  the  Lord.  Exod. 
xxviii.  12. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  make  intercession  in  the  virtue  of  his  satisfac- 
tion? 

A.  Yes:  for,  by  his  own  blood,  he  entered  into  the  holy 
place.  Heb.  ix.  12. 

§  vr. 

1.  Q.  Is  Christ  a  Priest,  after  the  order  of  Aaron  1 
A.  No  :  but  after  the  order  of  Melchisedec.  Ps.  ex.  4. 

2.  Q.   Is  he  a  Royal  Priest  1 

A.  Yes :  for,  he  is  a  Priest,  upon  his  throne,  and  the  counsel 
of  peace  shall  be  between  them  both.  Zech.  vi.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  a  Priest,  that  needs  a  successor  ? 

A.  No:  for  this  man,   because  he  continueth  for  ever,  hath 
an  unchangeable  Priesthood.  Heb.  vii.  24. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  a  Priest,  that  needs  a  sacrifice  for  himself? 

A,  No :  for  the  law  makes  men  High  Priests  which  have 


60  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

infirmity ;  but  the  word  of  the  oath  makes  the  Son,  who  is  con- 
secrated forever  more.  Heb.  vii.  28. 

5.  Q.  Have  all  believers  an  interest  in  Christ's  Priesthood  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  we  have  a  High  Priest  over  the  house  of  God. 

Heb.  x.  21. 

6.  Q.  Is  this  an  encouragement,  in  our  approaches  to  God  ? 
A.  Yes  :  let  us,  therefore,  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace. 

Heb.  iv.  16. 

7.  Q.  And  is  it  this  we  must  depend  upon  for  our  acceptance 
with  God  7 

A.  Yes:  for  spiritual  sacrifices  are  acceptable  to  God  only 
through  Jesus  Christ.  1  Pet.  ii.  5. 

XXVI.  Q.  How  doth  Christ  execute  the  office 
of  a  King  ? 

Ji.  Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  King  in 
subduing  us  to  himself,  in  ruling  and  defending 
us,  and  in  restraining  and  conquering  all  his  and 
our  enemies. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  Christ  put  into  the  office  of  a  King? 

A.  Yes :  I  have  set  my  King  upon  my  holy  hill  of  Zion.  Ps. 
ii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  execute  that  office  1 

A.  Yes:  He  shall  reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob  forever. 
Luke  i.  33. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  King,  as  Mediator  1 

A.  Yes  :  He  hath  authority  to  execute  judgment,  because  he 
is  the  Son  of  man.  John  v.  27. 

4.  Q.  Is  his  kingdom  a  spiritual  kingdom? 

A.  Yes:  my  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world.  John  xviii.  36. 
§n. 

1 .  Q.  Is  Christ  universal  monarch  1 

A.  Yes :  for  all  power  is  given  to  him,  both  in  heaven  and 
on  earth.  Matt,  xxviii.  18. 

2.  Q.  Has  he  a  right  to  rule  all  1 

A.  Yes:  He  is  Lord  of  all.  Acts  x.  36. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  rule  all  ? 

Jl.  Yes :  He  is  the  Governor  among  the  nations.  Ps.  xxii.  28. 

4.  Q.  Docs  he  rule  all,  for  the  good  of  his  church  1 

A.  Yes :  He  is  Head  over  all  things  to  the  church.  Ephes. 
i.  22. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  61 

5.   Q.  Is  he,  in  a  special  manner,  the  church's  King  1 
A.  Yes  :  O  daughter  of  Zion,  thy  King  cometh.  Zech.  ix.  9. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Does  Christ,  as  King,  subdue  his  people  to  himself"? 
A.  Yes  :  thy  people  shall   be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  pow- 
er.    Vs.  ex.  3. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  do  it,  by  the  word  of  his  grace  1 

A.  Yes :  He  draws  with  the  cords  of  a  man,   and  with  the 
bands  of  love.  Hos.  xi.  4. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  do  it,  effectually  1 

A.  Yes :  he  makes  ready   a  people  prepared  for  the  Lord, 
Luke  i.  1 7. 

4.  Q.  Does  he  conquer  the  opposition  of  the  carnal  mind"? 
A.  Yes :  for  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  mighty  through 

God,  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong-holds.  2  Cor.  x.  4. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  set  up  his  throne  in  the  soul  ? 

A.  Yes  :  bringing  into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedi- 
ence of  Christ.  2  Cor.  x.  5. 

6.  Q,  And  does  he  rule  there  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  writes  his  law  in  their  hearts.  Heb.  viii.  10. 

§iy. 

1.  Q.  Does  Christ,  as  a  king,  reign  in  his  church  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  is  our  judge,  the  Lord  is  our  law-giver  ;  the 
Lord  is  our  King.  Isa.  xxxiii.  22. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  enact  laws? 

A.  Yes  :  He  gave  commandments  to  his  apostles.   Acts.  i.  2. 

3.  Does  he  commission  officers  1 

A.  Yes:  by  me  kings  reign.  Prov.  viii.  15. 

4.  Q,  Does  he  give  judgment! 

""  A.  Yes:  we  must   all  appear  before  the  judgment-seat  of 
Christ.  2  Cor.v.  10. 

5.  Is  homage  and  allegiance  due  to  him  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  at  the  name  of  Jesus,  every   knee  shall  bow. 
Philip,  ii.  10. 

6.  Q.  Does  he  rule  in  righteousness  1 

A.  Yes:  the  sceptre  of  his  kingdom  is  a  right  sceptre.  Ps- 
xlv.  6. 

§v. 

1.  2.  Does  Christ,  as  a  King,  protect  his  subjects  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  he  shall  be  as  a  hiding-place  from  the  wind.  Isa , 
xxxii.  2. 
2.Q.  And  does  he  secure  the  peace  of  his  kingdom  1 


62  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes  :  for  this  man  shall  be  the  peace.  Micah  v.  5. 

3.  Q.  Has  he  authority  to  pardon  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  Sou  of  man  hath  power  on  earth,  to  forgive 
sin.  Matt.  ix.  6. 

4.  Q.  Has  he  authority  to  reward  services  1 

A.  Yes  :  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.  Rev.  ii.  10. 
|vi. 

1.  Q.  Does  Christ,  as  King,  restrain  his  enemies'? 

A.  Yes:  on  this  rock  will  I  build  my  church;  and  the  gates 
of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it.     Matt.  xvi.  18. 

2.  Q.   Will  he  conquer  them   at  last  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  must  reign  till  he  hath  put  all  enemies  under 
his  feet.   1  Cor.  xv.  25. 

3.  Q.  Will  he  conquer  death  itself? 

A.  Yes  :  the  last  enemy  that  shall  be  destroyed,  is  death. 
1  Cor.  xv.  26. 

4.  Q.  Does  he  count  those  his  enemies,  that  will  not  have 
him  to  reign  over  them  r* 

A.  Yes:  those  mine  enemies  which  would  not  that  I  should 
reign  over  them,  bring  them  hithei,  and  slay  them  before  me. 
Luke  xix.  27. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q    Is  Christ  a  merciful  king  ? 

A.  Yes  :  He  is  lowly,  and  having  salvation.  Zech.  ix.  9. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  the  poor  man's  king  1 

A.  Yes:  He  shall  deliver  the  needy,  when  he  cries.  Ps. 
Ixxii.  12. 

3.  Q    Has  he  a  large  kingdom  1 

A.  Yes :  he  shall  have  dominion  from  sea  to  sea.  Ps.  Ixxii.  8. 

4.  Q.  Have  we  reason  to  hope  it  shall  be  larger  than  now  it 
is] 

A.  Yes :  for  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  are  become  the  king- 
doms of  the  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ.  Rev.  xi.  15. 

5.  Q.  Shall  it  be  a  lasting  kingdom  1 

A.  Yes :  his  throne  shall  be  as  the  days  of  heaven.  Psalms 
Ixxxix.  29. 

6.  Q.  And,  when  the  mystery  of  God  shall  be  finished,  shall 
the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer  be  resigned  to  the  Creator  > 

A.  Yes :  then  cometh  the  end,  when  he  shall  have  delivered 
up  the  kingdom  to  God,  even  the  Father.  1  Cor.  xv.  24. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  to  rejoice  in  Christ's  dominion'? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  63 

A.  Yes:  let  the  children  of  Sion  be  joyful  in  their  King.  Ps. 
cxlix.  2. 

2.  Must  we  accept  him  for  our  king  ? 

A.  Yes:  take  my  yoke  upon  you.  Matt.  xi.  29. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  pay  tribute  to  him  1 

A.  Yes  :  send  ye  the  lamb,  to  the  ruler  of  the  land.  Isa. 
xvi.  I. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  obey  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  the  author  of  eternal  salvation  to  all  them 
thatoloey  him.  Heb.  v.  9. 

XXVII.  Q.  Wherein  did  Christ's  humiliation 
consist  ? 

A.  Christ's  humiliation  consisted  in  his  being 
born,  and  that  in  a  low  condition,  made  under 
the  law,  undergoing  the  miseries  of  this  life,  the 
wrath  of  God,  and  the  cursed  death  of  the  cross; 
in  being  buried,  and  continuing  under  the  pow- 
er of  death  for  a  time. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Did  Jesus  Christ  humble  himself? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  being  in  the  form  of  God,  he  made  himself  of 
no  reputation.  Philipp.  ii.  6,  7. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  a  deep  humiliation  1 

A.  Yes :  for,  he  said,  I  am  a  worm,  and  no  man.  Ps.  xxii.  6. 

3.  Q-  Was  it  requisite  he  should  humble  himself? 

A.  Yes  :  for  thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ 
to  suff"r.  Luke  xxiv.  46. 

4.  0.  And  was  that  a  proper  expedient  to  atone  for  our  sin  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  sinner  had  said,  I  will  be  like  the  most  high. 

Isa.  xiv.  14. 

fii. 

1.    Q.  Did  Christ  humble  himself,  in  his  birth? 

A.    fes  :  for,  he  who  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with 
God,  v  as  made  in  the  likeness  of  men.  Philipp.  ii.  6,  7. 
.    2.    Q.  Was  he  born  of  that  which  was  then  a  poor  family  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  was  a  root  out  of  a  dry  ground.  Isa.  liii.  2. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  born  of  a  poor  woman  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  she  offered  for  her  cleansing,  only  a  pair  of  tur- 
tle doves,  or  two  young  pigeons,  Luke  ii.  24,  compared  with 
Lev.  xsi.  8. 

4.  Q.  Was  his  supposed  father,  a  poor  man  1 


64  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  they  said,  is  not  this  the  carpenter's  son?  Matt' 
iiii.  55. 

5.  Q.  Was  he  born  in  a  poor  place  ? 

A.  Yes :  Bethlehem  was  little   among  the  thousands  of  Ju- 
dah.  Mic.  v.  2. 

6.  Q.  Was  he  born  in  poor  circumstances  ? 

A.  Yes  :  in  the  stable  of  an  inn,  and  laid  in  a  manger. 
Luke  ii.  7. 

7.  Q.  Had  he  the  respect  paid  him,  that  was  due  to  an  in- 
carnate deity  ? 

A.  No:  for  he  was  in  the  world,  and  the  world  knew  him 
not.  John  i.  10. 

8.  Q.  Was  he  respected  by  his  countrymen  1 

A.  No:  he  came   to  his  own,  and  his  own  received  him  not. 
John  i.  11. 

9.  Q.  Was  he  born  honorably  ? 

A.  No :  for  he  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant.  Philipp. 
ii.  7. 

10.  Q.  Was  he  born  wealthy  ? 

A.  No :  though  he  was  rich,  yet,  for  our  sakes,  he  became 
poor.     %  Cor.  viii.  9. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Was  Christ  made  under  the  law  1 

■A.  Yes  :  God  sent  forth  his  Son,  made  of  a  woman,  made 
under  the  law.     Gal.  iv.  4. 

2.  Q.  Was  he  circumcised  1 

A.  Yes :    when  eight  days  were  accomplished.    Luke  ii. 
21. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  presented  in  the  temple  1 

A.  Yes :  they  brought  him  to  Jerusalem,  to  present  him  to 
the  Lord.  Luke  ii.  22. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  keep  the  Passover "? 

A.  Yes :  when  he  was  twelve  years  old,  he  went  up  to  Jeru- 
salem, after  the  custom  of  the  feast.     Luke  ii.  42. 

5.  Q.  Wa»  he  obedient  to  his  parents  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  went  down  with  them  to  Nazareth,  and  was 
subject  to  them.     Luke  ii.  51. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  pay  tribute  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  give,  for  me  and  thee.     Matt.  xvii.  24,  27. 

7.  Q.  Did  he  fulfil  all  righteousness  ? 

A.  Yes :    thus,  it  becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  righteousness. 
Matt.  iii.  15. 

8.  Q.  Did  he  submit  to  the  law  of  the  mediatorship. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  65 

A.  Yes :  thy  law  is  within  my  heart.     Ps.  xl.  8. 
§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Was  his  education  mean"? 

A.  Yes:  for  they  said,  "is  not  this  the  carpenter?  Mark 
vi.  3. 

2.  Q.  Was  the  place  of  his  abode  despicable  1 

A.  Yes  :  can  any  good  thing  come  out  of  Nazareth.  John 
i.  46. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  live  in  honour? 

A,  No  :  for  he  was  despised  and  rejected  of  men    .Isa.  liii.  3- 

4.  Q.  Was  he  attended  by  great  folks  ? 

A.  No  :  have  any  of  the  rulers  or  of  the  Pharisees  believed 
on  him  ?     John  vii.  48. 

5.  Q.  Were  his  followers  mean? 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  were  fishers.     Matt.  iv.  18. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  live  in  mirth  and  pleasure? 

A.  No :  for  he  was  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with 
grief.     Isa.  liii.  3. 

7.  Q.   Was  the  sin  of  sinners  a  grief  to  him  1 

A.  Yes :  he  was  grieved  for  the  hardness  of  their  hearts . 
Mark  iii.  5. 

8.  Q.  Were  the  sorrows  of  his  friends  a  grief  to  him  ? 
A.  Yes:  Jesus  wept.     John  xi.  35. 

9.  Q.  Had  he  a  house  of  his  own  ? 

A.  No :  the  foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of  the  air  have- 
nests  ;  but  the  Son  of  man  hath  not  where  to  lay  his  head, 
Luke  ix.  58. 

10.  Q.  Was  he  fed  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat  ? 
A.  No:  he  had  barley  loaves.  John  vi.  9. 

1  i.   Q.  Did  he  live  upon  alms  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  certain  women  ministered  to  him  of  their  sub- 
stance. Luke  viii.  3. 

12.  Q.  Had  he  a  stately  place  to  preach  in  1 
A.  No :  he  taught  the  people  out  of  the  ship.  Luke  v.  3. 
§T. 

1.  Q.  Was  he  tempted  of  Satan. 

A.  Yes :  he  was  in  the  wilderness,  forty  days,  tempted  of 
Satan.  Mark  i.  13. 

2.  Q.  Was  that  a  part  of  his  sufferings  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  suffered,  being  tempted.  Heb.  ii.  18. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  persecuted  betimes  ? 

A.  Yes :  Herod  sought  the  young  child,  to  destroy  him, 
Matt.  ii.  13. 

4* 


66  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  Was  he  slandered  and  reproached  1 

A.  Yes:  they  said  of  him,  behold  a  gluttonous  man  and  a 
wine  bibber,  a  friend  of  publicans  and  sinners.  Luke  vii.  34. 

5.  Q.  Was  he  represented  as  a  madman? 

A.  Yes  :  they  said,  he  hath  a  devil,  and  is  mad.  John  x.  20. 

6.  Q.  And  as  one  that  is  in  league  with  the  devil  > 

A.  Yes  :  they  said,  he  casteth  out  devils  by  Beelzebub,  the 
prince  of  the  devils.  Matt.  xii.  24. 

7.  Q.  Did  they  cavil  at  his  preaching  ? 

A.  Yes:  he  endured  the  contradiction  of  sinners  against  him- 
self. II  eb.  xii.  3. 

8.  Q.  Did  he  bear  all  this  patiently  7 

A.  Yes :  when  he  was  reviled,  he  reviled  not  again.  1  Pet. 
ii.  23. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  But  notwithstanding  this,  had  he  honour  done  him  in 
his  humiliation? 

A.  Yes:  for  it  was  said  of  him,  he  shall  be  great.  Luke  i.  32. 

2.  Q.  Did  God  put  honour  upon  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  received  from  God  the  Father,  honour  and  glory. 
2  Pet.  i.  17. 

3.  Q.  Did  angels  do  him  honour  1 

A.  Yes  :  Behold,  angels  came  and  ministered  to  him.  Matt. 
iv.  11. 

4.  Q.  Did  foreigners  do  him  honour  ? 

A.  Yes  :  wise  men  of  the  East  came  to  worship  him.  Matt, 
ii.  2. 

5.  Q.  Did  the  common  report  of  the  people  do  him  honour. 
A.  Yes  :  for  some  said  he  was  Elias,  others  Jeremiah,  or  one 

of  the  prophets.  Matt.  xvi.  14. 

6.  Q.  Did  those  that  saw  his  miracles  do  him  honour  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  said,  it  was  never  so  seen  in  Israel.  Matt, 
ix.  33. 

7.  Q.  Did  inferior  creatures  do  him  honour  ? 

A.  Yes :  even  the  winds  and  the  seas  obeyed  him.  Matt, 
viii.  27. 

8.  Q.  Were  devils  themselves   compelled  to  acknowledge 
him  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  said  we  know  thee,  who  thou  art,  the  Holy 
One  of  God.  Mark  i.  24. 

$  VII. 

I .  Q.  Did  he  humble  himself  unto  <1eath  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  67 

A.  Yes :  he  humbled  himself  and  became  obedient  to  death, 
Pbilipp.  ii.  8. 

2.  Q    Did  he  die  for  us  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  was  delivered  for  our  offences.  Rom.  iv.  25. 

3.  Q.  Was  this  according  to  the  counsels  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  he  was  delivered  by  the  determinate  counsel   and 
foreknowledge  of  God.  Acts  ii.  23. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  suffer  in  his  soul  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  said,  now  is  my  soul  troubled.  John  xii.  27. 
b.   Q.  Did  he  suffer  from  his  Father  7 

A.  Yes  :  he  was  stricken,  smitten  of  God,  and  afflicted.  Isa, 
liii.  4. 

6.  Did  he  suffer  in  soul  from  his  Father  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  put  him  to  grief.  Isa.  liii.  10. 

7.  Q.  Did  this  put  him  into  an  agony  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  began  to  be  sorrowful   and  very  heavy.   Matt. 
xxvi.  37. 

8.  Q.  Did  he  suffer  this  for  us  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  made  him  sin  for  us  who  knew  no  sin.  2 
Cor.  v.  21. 

9.  Q.  And  yet  did  the  Father  love  him,   even   when  he 
bruised  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  therefore  doth  my  Father  love  me,  because  I   lay 
down  my  life.  John.  x.  17. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Did  he  suffer  from  Satan  1 

A.  Yes:  thou  shalt  bruise  his  heel.  Gen.  iii.  15. 

2.  Q.  Did  Satan  set  upon  him  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  prince  of  this  world  cometh.  John  xiv.  30. 

3.  Q.  But  did  Satan  conquer  him? 

A.  No :  he  hath  nothing  in  me.  John  xiv.  30. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  suffer  from  the  Jews  1 

A.  Yes :    for  they    cried,  crucify  him,  crucfy  him.    Luke 
xxiii.  21. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  suffer  from  the  chief  of  the  Jews  > 

A.  Yes :  he  was  the  stone  which  the  builders  refused.  Vs. 
cxviii.  22. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  suffer  from  the  Romans  1 

A.  Yes:  the  princes  of  this  world  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory. 
1  Cor.  ii.  8. 

7.  Q.  Was  he  betrayed  by  Judas  1 

A.  Yes  :  they  pat  it  into  the  heait  of  Judas  Iscariot  to  betray 
him.  John  xiii.  2. 


68  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

8.  Q.  Was  he  sold  for  thirty  pieces  of  silver  ? 

A.  Yes :  a  goodly  price  that  I  was  prized  at.  Zech.  xi.  13. 

9.  Q.  Was  he  forsaken  by  his  own  disciples  1 

A.  Yes :  all  his  disciples  forsook  him,  and  fled.  Matt,  xxvi, 
56. 

§ix. 

1 .  Q.  Was  he  falsely  accused  1 

A.  Yes :  they  sought  false  witness  against  him,  to  put  him 
to  death.  Matt.  xxvi.  59. 

2.  Q.  Was  he  basely  abused  1 

A.  Yes:  He  hid  not  his  face  from  shame  and  spitting.  Isa. 
16. 

3.  Q.  Was  he  condemned  as  a  blasphemer  1 

A.  Yes :  they  said,  He  hath  spoken  blasphemy.  Matt.  xxvi. 
6S. 

4.  Q.  Was  he  condemned,  as  a  traitor  1 

A.  Yes :   for  they  said  he  perverted  the  nation,  forbidding  to 
give  tribute  to  Csesar.  Luke  xxiii.  2. 

5.  Q.  Was  he  scourged] 

A .  Yes :  for  by  his  stripes,  we  are  healed.  Isa.  liii.  5. 

6.  Q.  Was  he  exposed  to  contempt  1 

A .  Yes :  He  was  a  reproach  of  men,  and  despised  of  the 
people.  Ps.  xxii.  6. 

7.  Q.  Did  they  scoff  at  him,  as  a  Pi-ophet  1 

A.  Yes :    they  said,  Prophesy,  who  smote  thee.  Matt.  xxvi. 
68. 

8.  Q.  Did  they  scoff  at  him,  as  a  King  1 

A.  Yes  :  they  said,  hail,  King  of  the  Jews.  Matt,  xxvii.  29. 

9.  Q.  Did  they  scoff  at  him,,  as  a  Priest  and  Saviour  1 

A.  Yes  :  they  said,  He  saved  others,  himself  he  cannot  save. 
Matt,  xxvii.  42. 

§x. 
I.  1 .   Q.  Was  he  sentenced  to  the  cross  1 

A.  Yes  :  Pilate  delivered  him  to  be  crucified.  Matt,  xxvii.  26. 

2.  Q.  Was  he  crucified  between  two  thieves  1 

A.  Yes  :  He  was  numbered  with  the  transgressors.  Isa.  liii. 
12. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  die  a  bloody  death  1 

A.  Yes:  for  the  life  of  the  flesh  is  in  the  blood,  and  it  is  the 
blood,  that  makes  atonement  for  the  soul.  Lev.  xvii.  11. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  die  a  painful  death  1 

A.  Yes:  they  pierced  his  hands  and  feet.  Ps.  xxii.  16. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  69 

5.  Q.  And  a  shameful  death  1 

A.  Yes :  He  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame.  Heb. 
xii.  2. 

6.  Q.  And  a  cursed  death  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  that  is  hanged  is  accursed  of  God.  Deut.  xxi. 
23;  and  Gal.  iii.  13. 

7.  Q.  Did  God  seem  to  withdraw  from  him,  in  his  sufferings  ? 
A.  Yes  :  He  cried,  with  aloud  voice,  My  God,  My  God,  why 

hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?  Matt,  xxvii.  46. 
§xi. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  die  to  glorify  God? 

A.  Yes:  for  this  cause  came  I  to  this  hour.  Father,  glorify 
thy  name.  John  xii.  27,  28. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  die,  to  satisfy  for  our  sins  ? 

A.  Yes :  it  was  to  finish  transgression,  and  to  make  an  end 
of  sins,  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,  and  bring  in  an  ever- 
lasting righteousness.  Dan.  ix.  24. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  die  to  conquer  Satan  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  spoiled  principalities  and  powers,  triumphing 
over  them,  in  his  cross.  Col.  ii.  15. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  die,  to  save  us  from  sin  ] 

A.  Yes :  He  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us 
from  all  iniquity.  Tit.  ii.  14. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  die,  to  purchase  Heaven  for  us  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  the  purchased  possession.  Ephes.  i.  14 ; 
Heb.  ix.  15. 

6.  Q.  Was  he,  in  his  death,  made  a  curse  for  us  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the 
law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us.  Gal  iii.  13. 

7.  Q.  Did  Christ  sweat  for  us  ? 

A.  Yes :  His  sweat  was,  as  it  were,  great  drops  of  blood. 
Luke  xxii.  44. 

8.  Q.  And,  thorns  being  also  a  fruit  of  the  curse,  did  Christ 
wear  them  for  us  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  platted  a  crown  of  thorns,  and  put  it  upon  his 
head.  Matt,  xxvii.  29. 

§  XII. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  do  all  that  was  to  be  done,  in  his  sufferings 
for  us  1 

A.  Yes :  He  said,  it  is  finished.  John  xix.  30. 

2.  Q.  Did  the  events  answer  the  predictions  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  Scriptures  must  be  fulfilled.  Mark  xiv.  49. 


70  scripture  catechism. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  sure  that  Christ  was  truly  dead  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  one  of  the  soldiers,  with  a  spear,  pierced  his 
side,  and  forthwith  came  thereout  blood  and  water  ;  and  he  that 
saw  it  bare  record.  John  xix.  34,  35. 

4.  Q.  Did  Christ  die,  as  a  Martyr  7 

A.  Yes :  for,  before  Pontius  Pilate,  he  witnessed  a  good  con- 
fession. 1  Tim.  vi.  13. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  die,  as  a  Testator  ? 

A.  Yes:  for,  where  a  testament  is,  there  must  needs  be,  the 
death  of  the  Testator.  Heb.  ix.  16. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  die,  as  a  sacrifice  ? 

A.  Yes  :  Christ,  our  passover,  is  sacrificed  for  us.  1  Cor.  v.  7. 


1.  Q.  Was  there  honour  done  to  Christ,  even  in  his  suffer- 
ings ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  earth  did  quake,  and  the  rocks  rent,  and  the 
graves  were  opened.  Matt,  xxvii.  51,  52. 

2.  Q.  And  were  some  thereby  convinced  1 

A.  Yes :  they  feared  greatly,  saying,  truly,  this  was  the  Son 
of  God.  Matt,  xxvii.  54. 

3.  Q.  Is  the  cross  of  Christ,  then,  a  reproach  to  us  ? 

A.  No :  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Gal.  vi.  14. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  what  we  should  all  be  acquainted  with  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  determined  to  know  nothing,  but  Jesus  Christ  and 
him  crucified.   1  Cor.  ii.  2. 

5.  Q.  And  ought  we  to  celebrate  the  praises  of  our  crucified 
Saviour  ? 

A.  Yes :  worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive  hon- 
our, and  glory,  and  blessing.  Rev.  v.  12. 
§  xiv. 

1.  Q.  When  Christ  was  dead,  was  he  buried? 

A.  Yes :  they  took  him  down  from  the  tree,  and  laid  him  in 
a  sepulchre.  Acts  xiii.  29. 

2.  Q.  Was  he  buried  according  to  the  custom  1 

A.  Yes  :  as  the  manner  of  the  Jews  is  to  bury.  John  xix.  40. 

3.  Q    Did  he  continue  under  the  power  of  death  for  a  time  > 
A.  Yes  :  for,  as  Jonas  was  three  days  and  three  nights  in  the 

whale's  belly,  so  shall  the  Son  of  man  be  three  days  and  three 
nights  in  the  heart  of  the  earth.  Matt.  xii.  40. 

4.  Q.  Was  this  his  descent  into  Hell  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  71 

A.  Yes :  He  descended  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth. 
Eph.  iv.  9. 

5.  Q.  Did  his  separate  soul  go  to  Paradise  ? 

A.  Yes :  this  day  shalt  thou  be  with  me,  in  Paradise  I  Luke 
xxiii  43. 

6.  Q.  Did  his  body  see  corruption  1 

A.  No :  thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  hell ;  neither  wilt 
tnou  suffer  thine  Holy  One  to  see  corruption.  Acts  ii.  27. 

XXVIII.  Q.  Wherein  consisteth  Christ's  ex- 
altation? 

Ji.  Christ's  exaltation  consisteth  in  his  rising 
again  from  the  dead  on  the  third  day,  in  ascend- 
ing up  into  Heaven,  in  sitting  at  the  right  hand 
of  God  the  Father,  aud  in  coming  to  judge  the 
world  at  the  last  day. 

1.  Q.  Is  Jesus  Christ  exalted] 

A.  Yes:  because  he  humbled  himself,  therefore,  God  also 
hath  highly  exalted  him.  Philipp.  ii.  9. 

2.  Q.  Was  his  humiliation  the  way  to  exaltation  } 

A.  Yes :  he  suffered  these  things,  and  so  entered  into  his 
glory.  Luke  xxiv.  26. 

3.  Q.  Was  his  exaltation  the  reward  of  his  humiliation  ? 

A.  Yes:  I  have  glorified  thee  on  the  earth,  and  now,  O 
Father,  glorify  thou  me.  John  xvii.  4,  5. 

4.  Q.  Had  he  it  in  his  eye,  in  his  sufferings  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him,  he  endured  the 
cross.  Heb.  xii .  2. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Was  his  resurrection  the  first  step  of  his  exaltation! 
A.  Yes :  He  was  buried,  and  rose  again  the  third  day,  accord- 
ing to  the  scriptures.  1  Cor.  xv.  4. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  continue  always  in  the  bands  of  death] 

A.  No:  for  it  was  impossible  he  should  be  holden  of  them. 
Acts.  ii.  24. 

3.  Did  he  rise  to  life  ] 

A.  Yes :  he  both  rose  and  revived.  Rom.  xiv.  9. 

4.  Q.  Did  the  same  body  rise  ] 

A.  Yes :  behold  my  hands  and  my  feet,  that  it  is  I  myself.' 
Luke  xxiv.  39. 

5.  Q.  Is  he  the  same  Jesus  still  ] 


72  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes  :  I  am  he  that  liveth,  and  was  dead.  Rev.  i.  18. 

6.  Q.  Did  he  lie  in  the  grave  all  the  Jewish  Sabbath  1 

A.  Yes:  for   he  rose    in   the   end   of  the   Sabbath.   Matt, 
xxviii.  1. 

7.  Q.  Did  he  rise  the  same  day  of  the  week  ? 

A.  Yes :  as  it  began  to  dawn  towards  the  first  day  of  the 
week.   Matt,  xxviii.  1. 

8.  Q.  Have  we  sufficient  proof  of  his  resurrection  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  shewed  himself  alive,  by  many  infallible  proofs. 
Acts  i.  3. 

9.  Q.  Did  he  rise  to  die  no  more  ? 

A.  Yes  :  death  hath  no  more  dominion  over  him.  Rom.  vi.  9. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  rise  by  his  own  power? 

A.  Yes :  destroy  this  temple,  and  in  three  days  I  will  raise 
it  up.  John  ii.  19,  and  x.  18. 

2.  Q.  Was  that  a  divine  power  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  was  crucified  through  weakness,  but  he  lived 
by  the  power  of  God.  2  Cor.  xiii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Was  it  the  great  proof  of  his  being  the  Son  of  God  ? 
A.  Yes  :  he  was  declared  to  be  the  Son  of  God  with  power, 

by  the  resurrection  from  the  dead.  Rom.  i.  4. 

4.  Q.   Was  it  the  will  of  the  Father  he  should  rise  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  angel  of  the  Lord  descended  from  Heaven 
and  came  and  rolled  back  the  stone.  Matt,  xxviii.  2. 

5.  Q.  Did  the  Father  raise  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  God  raised  him  from  the  dead.  Acts  xiii.  30. 

6.  Q.  Was  this  an  evidence  of  the  acceptance  of  his  satisfac- 
tion? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  was  raised  again  for  our  justification.  Rom. 
ir.  25. 

7.  Q.  And  may  we  plead  it  ? 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  Christ  that  died,  yea,  rather  that  is  risen  again. 
Rom.  viii.  34. 

§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  rise,  as  a  public  person  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  since  by  man  came  death,  by  man  came  also 
the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  1  Cor.  xv.  21. 

2.  Q.  Are  true  believers  raised  with  him  to  a  spiritual  life  ? 
A.  Yes:  He  hath  quickened  us  together  with  Christ. 

3.  Q.  And  shall  they  be  shortly  raised  to  eternal  life  1 

A.  Yes:    Christ    the  first  fruits,   afterward   they  that  ar« 
Christ's  at  his  coming.  1  Cor.  xv.  23. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  73 

4.  Q.  Is  the  resurrection  of  Christ  one  of  the  great  founda- 
tions of  Christianity  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  Christ  be  not  risen,  our  faith  is  vain.  1  Cor.  xv.  14. 

1.  Q.  Did  Christ  stay  on  earth,  forty  days,  after  his  resur- 
rection ? 

A.  Yes:  he  was  seen  of  them,  forty  days.  Acts  i.  3. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  then  ascend  up  into  Heaven? 

A.  Yes :  while  he  blessed  them,  he  was  parted  from  them, 
and  carried  up  into  heaven.  Luke  xxiv.  51. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  ascend  in  a  cloud  ? 

A.  Yes:  a  cloud  received  him  out  of  their  sight.  Acts  i.  9. 

4.  Q.  Was  he  welcome  in  heaven  ? 

A.  Yes :  when  the  Son  of  man  came  with  the  clouds  of 
heaven,  he  came  to  the  ancient  of  days,  and  they  brought  him 
near  before  him.  Dan.  vii.  13. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Was  it  for  our  advantage  that  he  ascended  up  into 
heaven  > 

A.  Yes :  it  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away.  John  xvi.  7. 

2.  Q.  Did  he  ascend  as  a  conqueror  ? 

A.  Yes  :  when  he  ascended  on  high,  he  led  captivity  captive. 
Ephes.  iv.  8. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  ascend  as  our  forerunner  ? 

A.  Yes  :  as  the  forerunner  he  is  for  us  entered.  Heb.  vi.  20. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  gone,  to  prepare  a  place  for  us  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  John  xiv.  2. 

5.  Q.  Did  he  enter  as  our  High  Priest,  within  the  veil? 

A.  Yes :  by  his  own  blood  he  entered  in,  once,  into  the  holy 
place.  Heb.  ix.  12. 

§vu. 

1.  Q.  Did  he  sit  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  is  seated  on  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  the 
Majesty  in  the  heavens.  Heb.  viii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Has  he  authority  to  sit  there  ? 

A,  Yes  :  the  Lord  said  unto  my  Lord,  sit  thou  on  my  right 
hand.  Ps.  ex.  1. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  there  now  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  Rom.  viii.  34. 

4.  Q.  Has  he  been  seen  there  ? 

A.  Yes :  Stephen  said,  I  see  the  heavens  opened,  and  the  Son 
of  man  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  Acts  vii.  56. 
5 


74  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

5.  Q.  Will  he  continue  there  1 

A.  Yes :  the  heavens  must  receive  him  till  the  restitution  of 
all  things.  Acts  iii.  2 1 . 

6.  Q.  Has  he  the  highest  honour  there  ] 

A.  Yes :    God  hath  given  him  a  name  above  every  name. 
Philipp.  ii.  9. 

7.  Q.  Has  he  the  sovereign  power  there  ] 

A.  Yes:  for  angels,  authorities  and  powers,  are  made  subject 
to  him.  1  Pet.  iii.  22. 

8.  Q.  Is  he  Lord  of  all  there  1 

A.  Yes :  thou  crownest  him  with  glory  and  honour,  and  didst 
set  him  over  the  works  of  thy  hands.  Hcb.  ii.  7. 

9.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  have  our  hearts  in  heaven  ? 
A.  Yes :  seek  those  things  which  are  above,  where  Christ 

sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  Col.  iii.  1. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.   Will  Christ  come  again? 

A.  Yes  :  if  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again. 
John  xiv.  3. 

2.  Q.  Are  you  sure  he  will  come  again  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  said,  surely,  I  come  quickly.  Rev.  xxii.  20. 

3.  Q.  Will  he  come  in  glory  1 

A.  Yes :  he  shall  come,  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  with  power 
and  great  glory.  Matt.  xxiv.  30. 

4.  Q.  Will  his  angels  attend  him  1 

A.  Yes:  he  shall  come  in  his  glory,  and  all  the  holy  angels 
with  him.  Matt.  xxv.  3 1 . 

5.  Q.  Will  he  come  publicly  ? 

A.  Yes :  behold  he  cometh,  in  the  clouds,  and  every  eye  shall 
see  him.  Rev.  i.  7. 

§ix. 

1.  Q.  Will  Christ  come  to  judge  the  world  1 

A.  Yes:  God  hath  appointed  a  day  in  which  he  will  judge 
the  world  in  righteousness,  by  that  man  whom  he  hath  ordained. 
Acts  xv  ii.  31. 

2.  Q.  Will  he  come  to  the  terror  of  all  his  enemies ! 

A.  Yes  :  They  also  which  pierced  him  shall  wail  because  of 
him.  Rev.  i.  7. 

3.  Q.  Will  he  come  to  the  comfort  of  all  his  faithful  followers  1 
A.  Yes :  to  them  that  look  for  him,  he  will  appear  the  second 

time,  unto  salvation.     Heb.  ix.  28. 

4.  Q.  Will  this  be  at  the  last  day  } 

A.  Yes :  I  will  raise  him  up,  at  the  last  day.  John  vi.  39. 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  75 

5.   Q.  Ought  we  to  wait  for  that  day  1 

A.  Yes  :  looking  for  the  blessed  hope,  and  the  glorious  ap- 
pearance of  the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Tit. 
ii.  13. 

XXIX.  Q.  How  are  we  made  partakers  of 
the  redemption  purchased  by  Christ  ? 

j3.  We  are  made  partakers  of  the  redemption 
purchased  by  Christ,  by  the  effectual  application 
of  it  to  us  by  his  Holy  Spirit. 

1.  Q.  Is  redemption  purchased  by  Christ  7 

A..  Yes:  he  obtained  eternal  redemption  for  us.  Heb.  ix.  12. 

2.  ().  Is  he,  then,  the  author  of  it? 

A  Yes  :  he  became  the  author  of  salvation.  Heb.  v.  9. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  redemption  by  price  1 

A.  Yes  :  ye  are  bought  with  a  price.  1  Cor.  vi.  20. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  redemption  by  power  'I 

A.  Yes :  for  he  hath  led  captivity  captive.  Ps.  Ixviii.  18. 

5.  Q.  Is  this  redemption  offered  to  all  ? 

A.  Yes:  he  hath  proclaimed  liberty  to  the  captives.  Isa.  lxi.  1. 

6.  Q.  May  all  that  will  take  the  benefit  of  it  1 

A.  Yes :  ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters. 
Isa.  Iv.  1. 

7.  Q.  Have  all  the  world,  therefore,  some  benefit  by  it  ? 

A.  Yes  :  go  into  ail  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature.  Mark  xvi.  1 5. 

8.  Q.  But  have  all  the  world  a  like  benefit  by  it  1 

A.  No :  thou  wilt  manifest  thyself  to  us,  and  not  unto  the 
world.  John  xiv.  22. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  enough  for  us,  that  there  is  a  redemption  pur- 
chased 1 

A.  No :  for  there  are  those  who  deny  the  Lord  who  bought 
them.  2  Pet.  ii.  1. 

2.  Q .  Is  it  enough  to  hear  of  it  ? 

A.  No  :  for  to  some  it  is  a  savour  of  death  unto  death.  2  Cor. 
ii.  16. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  enough  to  have  a  name  among  the  redeemed'? 
A.  No :  thou  hast  a  name  that  thou  iivest  and  art  dead.  Rev. 

Hi.  1. 


76  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  necessary,  therefore,  that  we  be  partakers  of  the 
redemption  1 

A.  Yes  :  that  we  may  say,  who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself 
for  me.  Gal.  ii.  20. 

5.  Q.  Do  all  partake  of  it ! 

A.  No :  thou  has  neither  part  nor  lot  in  this  matter.  Acts. 
viii.  21. 

6.  Q.  Do  all  believers  partake  of  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  we  are  made  partakers  of  Christ.  Heb.  iii.  14. 

7.  Q.  Do  they  receive  the  Redeemer  ? 

A.  Yes :  we  have  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord.  Col.  ii.  6. 

8.  Q.  Do  any  receive  this  of  themselves  ? 

A.  No:  a  man  can  receive  nothing  except  it  be  given  him 
from  above.  John  iii.  27. 

§iii. 

1.  Q.  Must  the  redemption  be  applied  to  us  1 

A.  Yes:  it  is  Christ  in  you,  the  hope  of  glory.  Col.  i.  27. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  Spirit's  work,  to  apply  it? 

A.  Yes:  for  it  is  the  Spirit  that  quickens.  John  vi.  63. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  sent  for  that  purpose  1 

A.  Yes :  he  shall  take  of  mine  and  shall  shew  it  unto  you. 
Johnxvi.  15. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  sent,  in  Christ's  name  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  is  the  Comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom 
the  Father  will  send,  in  my  name.  John  xiv.  26. 

5.  Q.  Have  we  as  much  need  of  the  Spirit,  to  apply  the  re- 
demption to  us,  as  of  the  Son,  to  purchase  it  for  us  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  when  Christ  had  purchased  it,  it  was  expedient 
for  us  he  should  go  away,  that  he  might  send  the  Comforter. 
John  xvi.  7. 

§  IV. 

1 .  Q.  Is  the  Spiiit  given  to  the  church,  in  general  1 

A.  Yes:  another  Comforter  shall  abide  with  you  forever.  John 
xiv.  16. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  promised  to  particular  persons  ? 

A.  Yes  :  turn  ye  at  my  reproof;  behold,  I  will  pour  out  my 
Spirit  unto  you.  Prov.  i.  23. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  Spirit,  then  1 

A.  Yes:  our  heavenly  Father  will  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
them  that  ask  him.  Luke  xi.  13. 

4.  Q.  Do  all  believers  receive  of  the  Spirit  f 

A.  Yes:  God  hath  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  your 
hearts.  Gal.  iv.  6. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  77 

5.  Q.  Is  he  their  teacher  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  shall  teach  them  all  things.  John  xiv.  26. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  their  remembrancer  1 

A.  Yes:  he  shall  bring  all  things  to  their  remembrance.  John 
xiv.  26. 

7.  Q.  Is  he  the  earnest  ? 

A.  Yes:  he  has  given  the  earnest  of  the  Spirit  in  our  hearts. 
2  Cor.  i.  22. 

8.  Q.  Does  he  begin  the  good  work  of  grace  in  the  heart  f* 
A.  Yes :  for  when  he  is  come,  he  shall  convince.  John  xvj.  8. 

9.  Q.  And  does  he  perfect  it  ? 

A..  Yes:  for  he  hath  wrought  us  for  the  self-same  thing.  2  Cor. 
v.  5. 

XXX.  Q.  How  doth  the  Spirit  apply  to  us 
the  redemption  purchased  by  Christ? 

Ji.  The  Spirit  applieth  to  us  the  redemption 
purchased  by  Christ,  by  working  faith  in  us,  and 
thereby  uniting  us  to  Christ,  in  our  effectual  call- 
ing. 

§  T. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  Spirit  act  freely  in  applying  the  redemption  1 
A.  Yes :  the  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth :  so  is  every  one 

that  is  born  of  the  Spirit.  John  iii.  8. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  act  mysteriously  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  knowest  not  what  is  the  way  of  the  Spirit. 
Eccl.  xi.  5. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  act  effectually  1 

A.  Yes :  all  that  the  Father  giveth  me  shall  come  to  me. 
John  vi.  37. 

§n. 

1 .  Q.  Is  faith  necessary  to  our  interest  in  the  redemption  1 
A.  Yes :  for  without  faith,  it  is  impossible  to  please  God. 

Heb.xi.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  great  thing  necessary  ? 

A.  Yes:  only  believe:  all  things  are  possible  to  him  that 
can  believe.  Mark  v.  36,  and  ix.  23. 

3.  Q.  Can  we  have  a  saving  interest  in  the  redemption,  with- 
out faith  ? 

A.  No :  he  that  believe th  not,  is  condemned  already.  John 
iii.  18. 


7S  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  that  which  is  required  on  our  part  ? 

A.  Yes:  by  grace  ye  are  saved  through  faith.  Ephes.  ii.  8. 

5.  Q.  And  is  it  of  ourselves  ? 

A.  No  :  not  of  ourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God.  Ephes.  ii.  3. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  given  for  Christ's  sake? 

A.  Yes :  unto  you  it  is  given,  on  the  behalf  of  Christ,  to 
believe  on  him.  Phil.  i.  29. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  Spirit  work  faith  in  us  ? 

A.  Yes :  it  is  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  Gcd.  Col.  ii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  divine  work  then  1 

yi.  Yes:  this  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye  believe.  John  vi.  23. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  work  of  divine  power  ? 

A.  Yes:  we  believe  according  to  the  working  of  his  mighty 
power,  which  he  wrought  in  Christ.  Ephes.  i.  19,20. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  wrought  in  all  the  saints  > 

A .  Yes  :  for  they  have  all  obtained  a  like  precious  faith. 
2  Pet.  i.  1. 

5.  Q.  Shall  it  be  wrought  in  all  the  chosen  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  the  faith  of  God's  elect.  Tit.  i.  1. 
§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  true  believers  united  to  Christ? 

A.  Yes:  he  that  is  joined  to  the  Lord  is  one  spirit.  1  Cor. 
vi.  17. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  interested  in  his  death  ? 

A.  Yes  :  we  are  crucified  with  Christ.  Gal.  ii.  20. 

3.  Q.  And  in  his  burial? 

A.  Yes:  Ave  are  buried  with  him  in  baptism.  Rom.vi.  4. 

4.  Q.  And  in  his  resurrection  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  has  quickened  us  together  with  Christ.  Ephes. 
ii.  5. 

5.  Q.  And  in  his  ascension  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  hath  made  us  sit  together  in  heavenly  places,  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Ephes.  ii.  6. 

1.  Q.  Is  there  a  real  union  between  Christ  and  believers? 
A.  Yes :  for  both  he  that  sanctifieth,  and  they  who  are  sanc- 
tified, are  all  of  one.  Heb.  ii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  the  head  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church.  Col.  i.  18. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  his  members  ? 

A.  Yes  :  who  are  members  of  his  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of 
his  bones.  Ephes.  v.  30. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  79 

4.  Q.  Is  he  the  Root  > 

A.  Yes:  for  of  his  fulness  all  have  received.  Johni.  16. 

5.  Q.  Are  they  the  branches  1 

A.  Yes:  I  am  the  vine;  ye  are  the  branches.  John  iv.  5. 

G.   Q.  Is  he  the  Foundation  ? 

A.  Yes :  behold  I  lay  in  Zion  for  a  foundation  a  stone,  a 
tried  stone.  Isa.  xxviii.  16. 

7.   Q.  Are  they  built  upon  him  1 

A.  Yes:  ye  also  as  lively  stones,  are  built  up  a  spiritual 
house.  1  Pet.  ii.  5. 

§vi. 

1 .  Q.  Is  there  a  relative  union  between  Christ  and  believers  1 
A.  Yes :  I  ascend  to  my  Father  and  your  Father.  John  xx.  17. 

2.  Q,  Are  they  his  children  ? 

A.  Yes :  here  am  I  and  the  children  which  thou  hast  given 
me.  Heb.  ii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  his  brethren  1 

A.  Yes :  he  is  not  ashamed  to  call  them  brethren,  Heb.ii.  1 1. 

4.  Q.  Are  they  his  spouse  1 

A.  Yes:  I  have  espoused  you  to  one  husband.  2  Cor.  xi.  2. 

5.  Q,  Are  they  his  subjects  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  are  translated  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear 
Son.  Col.  i.  13. 

6.  Q.  Are  they  his  soldiers  ? 

A.  Yes:  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ.  2  Tim.  ii.  3. 

7.  Q.  Are  they  his  servants  1 

A.  Yes:  ye  call  me  Master  and  Lord.  Johnxiii.  13. 

8.  Q,  Are  they  his  scholars  7 

A.  Yes  :  they  sit  at  Jesus'  feet  and  hear  his  word.  Luke  x.  39. 

9.  Q.  Are  they  his  sheep  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep.  Heb. 
xiii.  20. 

§  vir. 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  by  faith  that  we  are  united  to  Christ  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  Christ  dwells  in  the  heart  by  faith.  Ephes.  iii.  17. 

2.  Q.  Is  that  owing  to  the  Spirit1? 

A.  Yes :  we  are  a  habitation  of  God  through  the  Spirit.  Ephes. 
ii.  22. 

3.  Q.  Does  communion  result  from  this  union  ? 

A .  Yes  :  for  truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father,  and  with 
his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  1  John  i.  3. 

4.  Q.  And  is  that  owing  to  the  Spirit  ? 


SO  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  we  have  an  access  by  one  Spirit,  unto  the  Father. 
E plies,  ii.  18. 

5.  Q.  Can  we  be  united  to  Christ,  without  the  indwelling  of 
the  Spirit  ? 

A.  No :  for  if  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is 
none  of  his.  Rom.  viii.  9. 

6.  Q.  Have  all  that  are  united  to  Christ  an  interest  in  the 
benefits  of  redemption  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  of  him  are  we  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is 
made  unto  us,  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemp- 
tion. 1  Cor.  i  30. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  united  to  Christ  in  our  effectual  calling  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  called  into  the  fellowship  of  his  Son, 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.  1  Cor.  i.  9. 

2.  Q.  Will  the  common  call  unite  us  to  Christ  ? 

A.  No :  for  many  are  called  but  few  chosen.  Matt.  xxii.  14. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  the  effectual  call  then,  that  does  it  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  whom  he  called,  them  he  justified.  Rom.  viii.  30. 
§ix. 

1 .  Q.  Does  the  gospel  call  us  from  sin  to  God  1 

A.  Yes :  it  turns  from  the  power  of  satan  unto  God.  Acts 
xxvi.  18. 

2.  Q.  Does  it  call  us  from  self  to  Christ  ? 

A,  Yes :  if  any  man  will  be  my  disciple,  let  him  deny  him- 
self and  follow  me.  Matt.  xvi.  24. 

3.  Q.  Does  it  call  us  from  darkness  to  light  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  hath  called  us,  out  of  darkness  unto  his  marvel- 
lous light.  lPet.ii.9. 

4.  Q.  And  from  uncleanness  to  holiness  ? 

A,  Yes:  God  hath  not  called  us  to  uncleanness,  but  to  holi- 
ness. 1  Thess.  iv.  7. 

5.  Q.  And  from  this  world  to  another  and  better?* 

A.  Yes:  if  ye  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things  that 
are  above.  Col.  iii.  1. 

6.  Q.  Is  this  call  effectual,  when  we  come  at  the  call  ? 

A.  Yes :  follow  me ;  and  he  arose,  and  followed  him.  Matt, 
ix.  9. 

7.  Q.  Is  it  our  great  concern  to  make  this  sure  ? 

A.  Yes :  make  your  calling  and  your  election  sure.  2  Pet. 
i.  10. 


In  the  original  work,  it  is,  "to  the  other?" — Ed. 


SCRIPTURE     CATECHISM.  bl 

XXXI.   Q.  What  is  effectual  calling  ? 

A.  Effectual  calling  is  the  work  of  God's 
Spirit,  whereby,  convincing  us  of  our  sin  and 
misery,  enlightening  our  minds  in  the  knowledge 
of  Christ,  and  renewing  our  wills,  he  doth  per- 
suade and  enable  us  to  embrace  Jesus  Christ, 
freely  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  common  call  given  to  the  world  1 

A.  Yes :  he  sent  forth  his  servants,  to  call  them  that  were 
bidden.  Matt.  xxii.  3. 

2.  Q.  Can  ministers  make  that  call  effectual  1 

A.  No:  for  who  hath  believed  our  report?  Isa.  liii.  1. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  the  work  of  God,  to  make  it  effectual  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  God  that  giveth  the  increase.  1   Cor.  iii.  7. 

4.  Q.  Does  he  do  it,  in  a  way,  suitable  to  our  nature  ? 

Jl.  Yes  :  I  drew  them  with  the  cords  of  a  man.  Hos.  xi.  4. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  necessary  to  our  salvation,  that  the  call  should  be 
effectual  1 

A.  Yes :  who  hath  saved  us  and  called  us,  with  a  holy  call- 
ing. 2  Tim.  i.  9. 

§ir. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  who  are  effectually  called,  convinced  of  sin  1 
A.  Yes:  I  was  alive  without  the  law  once;  but,  when  the 

commandment  came,  sin  revived.  Kom.  vii.  9. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  Spirit's  work  to  convince  ? 

A.  Yes :  when  he  is  come,  he  will  convince  the   world    of 
sin.  John  xvi.  8. 

3.  Q.  Is  the  word  the  ordinary  means  of  conviction? 

A.  Yes :  for  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin.  Rom.  iii.  20. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  necessary  we  should  be  convinced  of  sin  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  that  are  whole  need  not  a  physician.  Matt. 
ix.  12. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  be  convinced  of  the  fact  of  sin. 
A.  Yes:  these  things,  thou  hast  done.  Ps.  1.  21. 

6.  Q.  And  of  the  fault  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  know,  therefore,  and  see,  that  it  is  an  evil  thing. 
Jer.ii.  19. 

7.  Q.  And  of  the  folly  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  Herein  thou  hast  done  foolishly.  2  Chron.  xvi.  9, 

8.  Q.  And  of  the  filth  of  sin  ? 


82  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  for  how  canst  thou  say  I  am  not   polluted.  Jer. 
ii.  23. 

9.  Q.  And  of  the  fruit  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  your  sins  have  separated  between  you    and  your 
God.  Isa.  lix.  2. 

10.  Q.  And  of  the  fountain  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  shall  know,  every  man,  the  plague  of  his  own 
heart.    I  Kings  viii.  38. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  also  be  convinced  of  our  misery  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  art  wretched  and  miserable.   Rev.  iii.  17. 

2.  Q.  And  of  our  danger  ? 

A.  Yes  :  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Matt.  iii.  7. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  be  convinced  of  our  helplessness  in  ourselves? 
A.  Yes:  when  sin  revived,  I  died.  Rom.  vii.  9. 

4.  Q.  And  of   the  possibility  of  our  being  helped  by    the 
grace  of  God? 

A.  Yes  :  how  many  hired  servants  of  my  Father,  have  bread 
enough,  and  to  spare  ?  Luke  xv.  17. 

5.  Q.  Will  these  convictions  put  us  in  pain  ? 

A.  Yes  :  when  they  heard  this  they  were  pricked  to  the  heart, 
ii.  37. 

6.  Q.  And  bring  us  to  be  at  a  loss  within  ourselves  ? 

A.  Yes  :  men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do  ?  Acts  ii.  37, 

7.  Q.  And  put  us  upon  inquiry? 

A.  Yes:  they  shall  ask  the  way  to  Sion,  with  their  faces 
thitherward.  Jer.  1.  5. 

8.  Q.  Are  these  convictions  necessary,  to  prepare  us  for  an 
invitation  to  Christ  1 

A.  Yes:  come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor,  and  are  heavy  la- 
den. Matt.  xi.  28. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  Spirit,  when  he  has  convinced  us  of  sin  and 
misery,  leave  us  so  ! 

A.  No :  for  he  has  torn,  and  he  will  heal  us.  Hos.  vi.  1. 

2.  Q.  When  he  has  shewed  us  our  wound,  does  he  shew  us 
our  remedy  1 

A.  Yes  :  O,  Israel,  thou  hast  destroyed  thyself,  but  in  me  is 
thy  help.  Hos.  xiii.  9. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  enlighten  our  minds  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  is  given,  that 
the  eyes  of  our  understanding  may  be  enlightened.  Ephes.  i. 
17,  18. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHIS3I.  83 

4.  Q.  Does  he  enlighten  them,  with  the  knowledge  of  Chris'.? 
A.  Yes  :  he  gives  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of 

God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ.  2  Cor.  iv.  6. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  discover,  to  the  soul,  Christ's  ability  to  save? 
A.  Yes  :  I  have  laid  help  upon    one  that   is    mighty.  Psalm 

Ixxxix.  19. 

6.  Q.  And  his  willingness  to  save  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  will,  be  thou  clean.  Matt.  viii.  3. 

7.  Q.  Should  we  be    most  ambitious  of  the  knowledge   of 
Christ  ? 

A.  Yes  :  counting  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency    of 
the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  Philipp.  lii.  8. 

8.  Q.  Does  the  Spiiit  direct  convinced  sinners  to  Christ? 
A.  Yes  :  turn  ye  to  the  strong  bold,  ye  prisoners   of  hope. 

Zech.  ix.  12. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  enough  to  have  the  mind  enlightened  ? 

A.  No  :  for  we  are  called  into  a  professed  subjection  to    the 
gospel  of  Christ.  2    Cor.  ix.  13. 

2.  Q.  Must  the  will,  therefore,  be  renewed  ? 

A.  Yes  :  For  it  is  God  that  wTorketh  in   us,  both  to  will  and 
to  do,  of  his  own  good  pleasure.  Philipp.  ii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  to  incline  the  will  to    do 
that  which  is  good'? 

A.  Yes  :  incline  my  heart  unto  thy  testimonies.  Ps.  cxix.  SG. 

4.  Q.  And  is  that  the  renewing  of  the  will  ? 

A.  Yes  :  a   new  heart,  will  I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will 
I  put  within  you.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26. 

5.  Q.  Does  that  make  the  will  pliable  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  will  take  the  stony  heart  out  of  their  flesh    and  I 
will  give  them  an  heart  of  flesh.  Ezek.  xi.  19. 

6.  Q.  Does  it  bring  it  into  subjection  to  the  will  of  God  ? 
A.  Yes  :  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?  Acts  ix.  6. 

7.  Q,  And  is  that  a  cheerful  subjection? 

A.  Yes :  because  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts, 
by  the  Holy  Ghost.  Rom.  v.  5. 

§vr. 

1.  Q.  Is  Christ  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel  ? 

A.  Yes  :  behold,  I  stand  at  the  door,  and  knock.  Rev.  in.  20= 

2.  Q.  Is  he  freely  offered  ? 

A.  Yes:  Come,  buy,  without  money,  and  without  price.  Isa. 
Iv.  1. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  concerned  to  embrace  that  offer  ? 


84  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes  :  come,  eat  of  my  bread,  and  drink  of  my  wine  that 
I  have  mingled.  Prov.  ix.  5. 

4.  Q.  Are  we,  by  nature,  averse  to  it? 

A.  Yes :  ye  will  not  cotne  to  me,  that  ye  might  have  life. 
John  v.  40. 

5.  Q.  Do  sinners  perish,  then,  through  their  own  wilfulness? 
A.  Yes  :  I  have  called,  and  ye  have  refused.  Prov.  i.  24. 

6.  Q.  Does  the  Spirit,  in  effectual  calling,  overcome  this  aver- 
sion ? 

A.  Yes :  with   loving   kindness   have    I   drawn  thee.    Jer. 
xxxi.  3. 

7.  Q.  Does  he  persuade  us  to  embrace  this  offer  1 

A.  Yes:  for  every  man  that  hath  heard,  and  learned  of  the 
the  Father,  cometh  unto  mo.  John  vi,  45. 

8.  Q.  Does  he  enable  us  ? 

A.   Yes :  for  you  hath  he  quickened,  who  were  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins.  Ephes.  ii.  I. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Can  we  turn  to  God,  by  any  power  of  our  own  ? 

Ji.  No  :  for  we  are  not  sufficient,  of  ourselves.  2  Cor.  iii.  5. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  grace  of  God,  that  turns  us  to  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  turn  thou  me,  and  I  shall  be  turned.  Jer.  xxxi.  18. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  free  grace  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  went  on  frowardly  in  the  way   of  his  heart ;  I 
have  seen  his  ways,  and  will  heal  him.  Isa.  lvii.  17,  18. 

4.  Q.  Does  it  turn  us,  by  a  work  upon  the  will  1 

A.  Yes:  the  Lord  opened  the  heart  of  Lydia.  Acts   xvi.  14. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  special  grace  ] 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him  that  runneth, 
but  of  God,  that  sheweth  mercy.  Rom.  ix.  16. 

6.  Q.  Shall  this  grace  be  given  to  all  the  elect  "? 

A.  Yes :  all  that  the  Father  hath  given  me,  shall  come  unto 
me.  John  vi.  37. 

7.  Q.  Shall  it  be  effectual ! 

A.  Yes :  his  grace,  which  was  bestowed  upon  me,  was  not  in 
vain.     I  Cor.  xv.  10. 

8.  Q.  May  we,  in  faith,  pray  for  this  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  will,  for  this,  be  inquired  of,  by  the  house  of  Is- 
rael. Ezek.  xxxvi.  37. 

9.  Q.  Can  any  turn  to  God  without  this  special  grace  ? 

A.  No :  for  no  man  can  come   to  me,  ^except  the  Fathe^r, 
which  hath  sent  me,  draw  him.  John  vi.  44. 

10.  Q.  Must  that  grace,  therefore  have  all  the  glory  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  85 

A.  Yes :  we  must  shew  forth  the  praises  of  him  that  hath 
called  us.   1  Pet.  ii.  9. 

XXXII.  Q.  What  benefits,  do  they  that  are 
effectually  called,  partake  of  in  this  life  ? 

A.  They  that  are  effectually  called,  do,  in  this 
life,  partake  of  justification,  adoption,  and  sanc- 
tificatiou,  and  the  several  benefits,  which,  in  this 
life,  do  either  accompany  or  flow  from  them. 

§r. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  those  happy  which  are  effectually  called  ? 

A,  Yes :  for  God  hath  called  us  to  his  kingdom  and  glory.  1 
Thess.  ii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  partakers  of  the  blessings  of  the  new  cove- 
nant ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  promise  is  sure  to  all  the  seed.  Rom.  iv.  16. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  happy,  even  in  this  life  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  after  that  ye  believed,  ye  were  sealed  with  that 
Holy  Spirit  of  ptomise.  Ephes.  i.  13. 
§ir. 

1 .  Q.  Are  they  dignified,  and  preferred  ? 

A.  Yes:  ye  are  a  chosen  generation,  a  royal  priesthood.  I 
Pet.  ii.  9. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  brought  near  ? 

A.  Yes:  ye  who,  sometimes,  were  afar  off,  are  made  nigh. 
Ephes.  ii.  ]3. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  enriched  ? 

A.  Yes  :  God  hath  called  the  poor  in  this  world  rich  in  faith. 
James  ii.  5. 

4.  Q.  Are  they  taken  into  the  communion  of  saints  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  are  come  to  the  church  of  the  first  born 
which  are  written  in  heaven.  Heb.  xii.  23. 

5.  Q.  And  into  communion  with  the  holy  angels  ? 

'A.  Yes:  for  we  are  come  to  an  innumerable  company  of 
angels.  Heb.  xii.  22. 

6.  Q.  Are  they  entitled  to  the  best  possessions] 

A.  Yes  :  all  things  are  yours,  whether  Paul,  or  Apollos,  or 
Cephas,  or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present,  or  things 
to  come,  all  are  yours.   1  Cor.  iii.  21,  22. 

7.  Q.  Are  they  happy  in  the  best  blessings  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  God  and  father  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  hath  blessed 
us,  with  spiritual  blessings,  in  heavenly  things.  Ephes.  i.  3. 


86  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

8.  Q.  Are  they  happy,  both  for  soul  and  body  1 
A.  Yes  :   lie  hath  given  us  all  things  that  pertain  to  life  and 
godliness.  2  Pet.  i.  3. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  they  justified? 

A.  Yes :  Whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified.  Rom. 
viii.  30. 

2.  Q.  Is  that  an  unspeakable  benefit? 

A.  Yes:  blessed  is  the  man,  whose  iniquity  is  forgiven.  Ps. 
xxxii.  1. 

3.  Q.  Aie  they  adopted  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  hath  predestinated  us  to  the  adoption  of  chil- 
dren. Ephes.  i.  5. 

4.  Q.  And  is  that  an  unspeakable  benefit  1 

A.  Yes:  for,  if  children,  then  heirs.  Rom.  viii.  17. 

5.  Q.  Are  they  sanctified  1 

A.  Yes:  they  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus.  1  Cor.  i.  2. 
G.   Q.  And  is  that  an  unspeakable  benefit  ? 
A.   Yes  :  for  we  are  partakers  of  his  holiness.  Heb.  xii.  10. 
*  iv. 

1.  1.   Q.  Do  they  partake  of  other  benefits? 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory,  and  no  good 
thing  will  be  withheld  from  them  that  walk  uprightly.  Ps. 
Ixxxiv.  11. 

2.  Q.  Are  all  these  benefits  given  to  them  that  are  effectual- 
ly called  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  promise  of  the  remission  of  sins,  and  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  to  as  many  as  tie  Lord  our  God  shall 
call.  Acts  ii.  39. 

3.  Q.  And  shall  every  thing  turn  to  their  advantage  1 

A.  Yes  :  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  are 
the  called.  Rom.  viii.  28. 

4.  Q.  Will  you,  therefore,  make  it  sure,  that  you  are  effec- 
tually called,  by  coming  at  the  call! 

A.  Yes  :  behold  we  come  unto  thee,  for  thou  art  the  Lord 
our  God.  Jer.  iii.  22. 

XXXIII.   Q.  What  is  justification? 

A.  Justification  is  an  act  of  God's  free  grace, 
wherein  he  pardoneth  all  our  sins,  and  accepieth 
us  as  righteous  in  iiis  sight,  only  for  the  right- 
eousness of  Christ  imputed  to  us;  and  received 
by  faith  alone. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  87 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Have  we  all  need  to  be  justified  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  are  all  guilty  before  God.  Rom.  iii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  enough,  if  we  justify  ourselves? 

A.  No:  if  I  justify  myself,  my  own  mouth  shall  condemn 
me.  Job  ix.  20. 

3.  0.  Is  it  enough,  if  our  neighbours  justify  us  ? 

A.  No  :  for  that  which  is   highly  esteemed  among  men,  is 
abomination  in  the  sight  of  God.  Luke  xvi.  15, 

4.  Q.  Must  it  be  God's  act,  then  1 

A.  Yes:  it  is  God  that  justifieth.  Rom.  viii.  33. 

5.  Q.  And  his  only  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  none  can  forgive  sins,  but  God  only.  Mark  ii.  7. 

6.  Q.  And  is  it  an  act  of  free  grace  1 

A.  Yes  :  we  are  justified  freely,  by  his  grace.  Rom.  iii.  24. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  that  are  justified  discharged  from  the  sentence 
of  the  law  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them   that  are  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Rom.  viii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Have  they  their  sins  pardoned  ! 

A.  Yes:  we  have  redemption,  through  his  blood,  the  forgive- 
ness of  sins.  Ephes.  i.  7. 

3.  Q.  Does  God  forgive  them  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I,  even  I,  am  he  thatblotteth  out  thy  transgressions. 
Isa.  xliii.  25. 

§  in. 

1 .  Q.  When  God  forgives  sin,  does  he  forgive  all  ? 

A.  Yes:  having  forgiven  all  your  trespasses.  Col.  ii.  13. 

2.  Q,  Does  he  forgive  even  great  sins  ? 

A.  Yes :  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  white 
is  snow.  Isa.  i.  18. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  forgive  many  sins  1 

A.  Yes :  He  will  abundantly  pardon.  Isa.  lv.  7. 

4.  Q.  Does  he  forgive  freely  ] 

A.  Yes:  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  unrighteousness.  Heb. 
viii.  12. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  forgive  fully  1 

A.  Yes :  their  sins,  and  their  iniquities  will  I  remember  no 
more.  Heb.  viii.  12. 

6.  Q.  Is  he  forward  to  forgive  ] 

A.  Yes:  I  said  I  will  confess,  and  thou  forgavest.  Ps.  xxxii. 
5. 


S8  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

7.   Q.  Does  he -forgive  and  forget? 

A.  Yes :  thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into  the  depths  of  the 
sea.  Mic.  vii.  19. 

§   IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  forgiveness  of  sins  offered  to  all,  upon  gospel  terms'? 
A.  Yes:  for  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  is  preached  to 

all  nations.  Luke  xxiv.  47. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  secured,  to  all  the  chosen  remnant  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  is  exalted,  to  be  a  Prince,  and  a  Saviour, 
to  give  repentance  and  remission  of  sins.  Acts  v.  31. 

3.  Q.  Have  all  believers  their  sins  pardoned  ? 

A.  Yes:  through   him,  all  that  believe    are  justified.   Acts 
xiii.  39. 

4.  Q.  Are  they  accepted,  in  God's  sight  ? 

A.  Yes  :  He  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  beloved.  Ephes. 
i.  6. 

5.  Q.  Are  they  accepted,  as  righteous] 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him. 
2  Cor.  v.  21. 

6.  Q.  May  those  that  have  been  ungodly  be  thus  justified  ? 
A.  Yes:  He  justifies  the  ungodly.  Rom.  iv.  5. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Can  we  be  justified  by  the  covenant  of  innocency  ? 
A.  No :  for  who  can  say,  I  have  made  my  heart  clean1?  Prov. 

xx.  9. 

2.  Q.  Can  we  be  justified  by  any  thing  in  ourselves  1 

A.  No  :  how  can  man  be  justified  with  God  ?  Job  xxv.  4. 

3.  Q.  If  we  know  no  ill  by  ourselves,  will  that  justify  us  ? 
A.  No :  though  I  know  nothing  by  myself,  yet  am  I  not 

thereby  justified.  1  Cor.  iv.  4. 

4.  Q.  Will  the  law  of  Moses  justify  us  ? 

A.  No :  we  are  justified  from  all  things  from  which  we  could 
not  be  justified  by  the  law  of  Moses.  Acts  xiii.  39. 

5.  Q.  Will  our  own  works  justify  us  ? 

A.  No:  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  shall  no  flesh  be  justified. 
Rom.  iii.  20. 

6.  Q.  Would  the  ceremonial  sacrifices  justify  men  ? 

A.  No  :  they  could  not  make  the  comers  thereunto  perfect. 
Heb.  x.  1. 

7.  Q.  Are  we  justified  for  the  righteousness  of  Christ? 

A.  Yes :  by  the  obedience  of  one  shall  many  be  made  right- 
eous. Rom.  v.  19. 

8.  Q.  And  for  that  only  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  S9 

A-  Yes :  not  having  my  own  righteousness  which  is  of  the 
law,  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ.  Philipp.  iii.  9. 
§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  righteousness  of  Christ  imputed  to  us  for  our 
justification  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  is  made  of  God  unto  us,  righteousness.  1 
Cor.  i.  30. 

2.  Q.  Did  Christ  die,  that  it  might  be  imputed  1 

A.  Yes :  He  shall  justify  many ;  for  he  shall  bear  their  in- 
iquities. Isa.  liii.  11. 

3.  Q.  Do  we  owe  our  justification,  then,  to  the  death  of 
Christ  1 

A.  Yes:  the  blood  of  Christ,  his  Son,  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin.  1  John  i.  7. 

4.  Q.  And  does  that  lay  the  foundation  of  our  salvation  ? 

A.  Yes  :  being  justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from 
wrath.  Rom.  v.  9. 

5.  Q.  Were  we  justified  from  eternity  1 

A.  No :  for,  in  due  time,  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly.  Rom. 
v.  6. 

6.  Q.  If  Christ  had  died,  and  not  risen  again,  could  he  have 
justified  us  ? 

A.  No:  for  he  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and  raised 
again  for  our  justification.  Rom.  iv.  25. 

7.  Q.  Is  that,  then,  our  plea,  for  peace  and  pardon  1 

A.  Yes:  for  who/ then,  is  he  that  shall  condemn?    Rom. 
viii.  34. 

8.  Q.  May  we,  then,  depend  upon  Christ  for  righteousness  ? 
A.  Yes :  in  the  Lord,  I  have  righteousness  and  strength.  Isa. 

xlv.  24. 

9.  Q.  Is  it  become  an  act  of  justice  in  God,  to  pardon  sin, 
upon  the  account  of  Christ's  righteousness  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  just,  and  the  justifier  of  him  that  believeth 
in  Jesus.  Rom.  iii.  26 ;  and  1  John  i.  9. 
§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  receive  the  righteousness  of  Christ  ? 

A.  Yes:  We  have  now  received  the  atonement.  Rom.  v.  11. 

2.  Q.  Do  we  receive  it,  by  faith  1 

A.  Yes  :  through  his  name,  whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall 
receive  remission  of  sins.  Acts  x.  43. 

3.  Q.  And  by  faith  only  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God. 
Rom.  v.  1. 

5* 


90  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  Did  Christ's  death  satisfy  the  law  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the 
law.  Gal.  iii.  13. 

5.  Q.    Is  that,  then,  our  only  righteousness,  in  the  law  court  7 
A.  Yes :  for  we  are  reconciled  to  God,  by  the  death  of  his 

Son.  Rom.  v.  10. 

6.  Q.  Do  we,  by  true  faith,  come  up  to  the  terms  of  the 
gospel  I 

A.  Yes :  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be 
saved.  Acts  xvi.  31. 

7.  Q.  Is  that,  then,  our  righteousness,  in  the  gospel  court  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  to  him  that  bclieveth,  his  faith  is  counted  for 

righteousness.  Eom.  iv.  5. 

8.  Q.  Is  it,  therefore,  our  life  ? 

.  A.  Yes  :  for  the  just  shall  live  by  faith.  Hab.  ii.  4. 

9.  Q.  Is  it  so,  as  it  applies  Christ's  righteousness  ? 

A.  Yes:  this  is  the  name  whereby  he  shall  be  called,  The 
Lord,  our  righteousness.  Jer.  xxiii.  6. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Is  justifying  faith,  a  working  faith? 

A.  Yes :  for,  by  works  is  faith  made  perfect.  James  ii.  22. 

2.  Q.  And  will  that  faith  justify  us,  which  does  not  produce 
good  works  > 

A.  No  :   for,  by  works,  a  man  is  justified,  and   not  by  faith 
only.  James  ii.  24. 

3.  Q.  Is  faith,  then,  dead,  without  good  works  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  as  the  body  without  the  spirit  is  dead,  so  faith 
without  works,  is  dead  also.  James  ii.  26. 

4.  Q.  And,  are  good  works  dead,  without  faith  ? 

A.  Yes:  for,  without  faith,  it  is  impossible  to  please  God. 
Heb.  xi.  6. 

5.  Q.  Must  they  both  act  together,  then  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  that  which  avails  is  faith,  which  works  by  love. 
Gal.  v.  6. 

6.  Q.  Do  we,  then,  make  void  the  law,  through  faith  1 

A.  No  :  God  forbid,  yea,  we  establish  the  law.  Rom.  iii.  31. 

7.  Q.  Is  our  faith  our  own  ? 

A.  No :  it  is  not  of  ourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God.  Ephes. 
ii.  8. 

8.  Q.  Are  our  good  works  our  own  1 

A.  No  :  for  thou  also  hast  wrought  all  our  works  in  us.  Isa. 
xxvi.  12. 

9.  Q.  Is  any  room  left  for  boasting  then  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISil.  91 

A.  No :  it  is  excluded,  by  the  law  of  faith.  Rom.  hi.  27. 
10.   Q.  Must  God,  therefore,  have  all  the  glory  ? 
A.  Yes:  for,  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  what  I  am.   1  Cor. 
xv.  10. 

XXXIV.   Q.  What  is  adoption  ? 

A.  Adoption  is  an  act  of  God's  free  grace, 
whereby  we  are  received  into  the  number,  and 
have  a  right  to  all  the  privileges  of  the  sons  of 
God. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  believers  God's  children  t 

A.  Yes :  ye  are  all  the  children  of  God,  by  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Gal.  hi.  26. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  so,  by  nature  ? 

A.  No :  we  are,  by  nature,  children  of  wrath.  Ephes.  ii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  so,  by  adoption  \ 

A.  Yes:  we  receive  the  adoption  of  sons.  Gal.  iv.  5. 

4.  Q.  Do  they  deserve  to  be  made  God's  children? 

A.  No  :  how  shall  I  put  thee  among  the  children,  and  give 
thee  a  pleasant  land  ?  Jer.  iii.  19. 

5.  Q.  Are  they  altogether  unworthy  of  such  a  favour  ] 

A.  Yes :  I  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son.  Luke 
xv.  19. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  bestowed  upon  them,  notwithstanding  their  un- 
worthiness  1 

A.  Yes :  I  will  be  a  Father  to  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my  sons 
and  daughters,  saith  the  Lord  Almighty.  2  Cor.  vi.  18. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  adoption  an  act  of  God's  free  grace  ? 

A.  Yes:  behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  be- 
stowed upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of  God !  1 
John  iii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Are  we,  by  it,  received  into  the  number  of  God's 
children  ? 

A.  Yes  :  there  shall  they  be  called  the  children  of  the  living 
God.  Rom.  ix.  26. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  received  into  that  number,  upon  our  believing  1 
A.  Yes :  as  many  as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to 

become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on  his  name. 
John  i.  12. 

§  in. 
1 .   Q.  Have  we  leave  to  call  God  Father  ? 


92  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

J.  Yes :  ye  have  received  the  spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we 
cry,  Abba,  Father.  Rom.  viii.  15* 

2.  Q.  Does  he  encourage  us  to  do  so  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  call  me,  My  Father,  and  shalt  not  turn 
away  from  me.  Jer.  iii.  19. 

3.  Q.  May  we  call  him  so,  though  we  have  been  prodigals  ? 
A.  Yes  :  I  will  go  to  my  Father,  and  will  say  unto  him, 

Father.  Luke  xv.  18. 

4.  Q.  May  we  look  upon  all  good  christians  as  brethren  > 
A.  Yes:  for  all  ye  arc  brethren.  Matt,  xxiii.  8. 

5.  Q.  And  do  they  all  make  one  family  ? 

A.  Yes  :  of  whom  the  whole  family  of  heaven   and  earth  is 
named.  Ephes.  iii.  15. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Does  God  give  the  nature  of  his  children  to  all  whom 
he  receives  into  the  number] 

A.  Yes:  because  ye  are  sons,  God  hath  sent  forth  the  Spirit 
of  his  Son  into  your  hearts.  Gal.  iv.  6. 

2.  Q.  Do'  they  partake  of  a  divine  nature  > 

A.  Yes :  they  are  made  partakers  of  a  divine  nature.  2  Pet. 
i.  4. 

3.  Q.  Are  all  God's  children  born  again,  then  1 

A.  Yes :  they    are  born,  not  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God. 
John  i.  13. 

4.  Q.  Is  our  adoption,  then,  to  be  known  by  our  disposition  ? 
A.  Yes :  for,  in  this,  the  children  of  God  are  manifest,  and 

the  children  of  the  devil :  whosoever  doth  not  righteousness,  is 
not  of  God.  1  John  iii.  10. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Have  all  God's  adopted  children  a  right  to  the  priv- 
ileges of  children  1 

A.  Yes :  they  are  brought  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
children  of  God.  Rom.  viii.  21. 

2.  Q.  Does  their  Father  pity  them  1 

A.  Yes :  like  as  a  Father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord 
pitieth  them  that  fear  him.  Ps.  ciii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  spare  them  7 

A.  Yes :  as  a  man  spares  liis  own  son  that  serves  him.  Mai. 
iii.  17. 

4.  Q.  Docs  he  take  care  of  them  1 

A.  Yes :  children,  have  ye  any  meat  ?  John  xxi.  5. 

5.  Q.  Does  he  provide  for  them'? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  93 

A.  Yes :  for  they  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  want  no  good 
thing.  Ps.  xxxiv.  10. 

6.  Q.  Does  he  correct  them  in  love  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  Father  chasteneth 
not  ?  Heb.  xii.  7. 

7.  Q.  Does  he  hear  their  prayers  ] 

A.  Yes:  your  Father  in  Heaven  will  give  good  things  to 
them  that  ask  him.  Matt.  vii.  11. 

8.  Q.  Will  he  give  them  the  inheritance  of  sons '! 

A.  Yes:  it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the 
kingdom.  Luke  xii.  32. 

9.  Q.  Will  he  bring  them  all  safe  to  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  will  gather  together  the  children  of  God  that  are 
scattered  abroad.  John  xi.  52. 

10.  Q.  Will  Christ  present  them  all  to  the  Father] 

A.  Yes :  behold  I  and  the  children  which  thou  hast  given 
me!  Heb.  ii.  13. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Must  all  God's  children  reverence  him  1 

A.  Yes:  if  I  be  a  Father,  where  is  my  honour]  Mai.  i.  6. 

2.  Q.  Must  they  obey  him  1 

A.  Yes  :  as  obedient  children.  1  Pet.  i.  14. 

3.  Q.  Must  they  imitate  him  ] 

A.  Yes :  be  ye  followers  of  God,  as  dear  children.  Ephes. 
v.  1. 

4.  Q.  Must  they  submit  to  him  ] 

A.  Yes  :  Father,  thy  will  be  done.  Matt.  xxvi.  42. 

XXXV.   Q.  What  is  sanctification? 

•tf.  Sanctification  is  the  work  of  God's  free 
grace,  whereby  we  are  renewed  in  the  whole 
man  after  the  image  of  God,  and  are  enabled, 
more  and  more,  to  die  unto  sin,  and  live  unto 
righteousness. 

§  i. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  that  are  justified  sanctified] 

A.  Yes:  for  Jesus  Christ  is  made  both  righteousness  and 
sanctification.  1  Cor.  i.  30. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  necessary  they  should  be  so  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  without  holiness,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord. 
Heb.  xii.  14. 

3.  Q.  Did  Christ  die,  that  they  might  be  sanctified] 


94  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for  their  sakes    I  sanctify  myself,   that  they  also 

might  be  sanctified.  Johnxvii.  19. 

4.   Q.  And  was  this  the  intention  of  their  election  1 

A.  Yes  :  He  hath  chosen  you  to  salvation,  through  sanctifi- 

cation.  2  Thess.  ii.  13. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  sanctifi cation  the  work  of  God  1 

A.  Yes  :  we  are  sanctified  by  God  the  Father.  Jude  v.  1. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  it  is  sanctification  of  the  Spirit.  1  Pet.  i.  2. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  work  of  free  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  according  to  his  mercy,  he  saved  us,  by  the  washing 
of  regeneration.  Tit.  hi.  5. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  work  wrought  in  us  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  are  his  workmanship,  created  unto  good 
works.  Ephes.  ii.  10. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  sanctification  something  more  than  being  civilized? 
A.  Yes :  for  he  is  not  a  Jew,  that  is  one  outwardly.  Rom. 

ii.  28. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  more  than  being  baptized  1 

A.  Yes :  it  is  not  the  putting  away  the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but 
the  answer  of  a  good  conscience.  1  Pet.  iii.  21. 

2.   Q.  Is  it  an  inward  change  of  the  heart  ? 

A.  Yes :  we  must  be  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  our  mind. 
Ephes.  iv.  23. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  renovation  of  the  whole  man  1 

A.  Yes:  if  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature.  2 
Cor.  v.  17. 

5.  Q.  Will  it  suffice  to  have  a  new  name  1 

A.  No  :  for  thou  hast  a  name  that  thou  livest,  and  art  dead. 
Rev.  iii.  1. 

6.  Q.  Will  it  suffice  to  have  a  new  face  1 

A.  No:  for  there  are  those  that  have  the  form  of  godliness, 
but  deny  the  power  of  it.  2  Tim.  iii.  5. 

7.  Q.  Must  there  be  a  new  heart  ? 

A.  Yes  :  a  new  heart  will  I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will 
I  put  within  you.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26. 

8.  Q.  And  a  new  nature  1 

A.  Yes :  put  on  the  new  man.  Ephes.  iv.  24. 

9.  Q.  And  a  new  birth  ? 

A.  Yes :  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  God.  John  iii.  3. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  95 

§IV. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  be  cleansed  from  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  from  all  your  filthiness,  and  from  all  your  idols,  will 
I  cleanse  you.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  25. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  be  consecrated  to  God  1 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  the  temple  of  God.  1  Cor.  iii.  16. 

3.  Q.  Must  the  law  be  written  in  the  heart  ? 

Ji.  Yes  :  I  will  put  my  law  in  their  heart.  Heb.  viii.  10. 

4.  Q.  Must  the  understanding  be  enlightened  1 

A.  Yes :  anoint  thine  eyes  with  eye-salve,  that  thou  mayest 
see.  Rev.  iii.  18. 

5   Q.  Must  the  heart  be  softened  t 

A.  Yes :  I  will  take  away  the  stony  heart,  and  give  a  heart 
of  flesh.  Ezek.  xi.  19. 

6.  Q.  Must  the  will  be  bowed  1 

A.  Yes :  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do.  Acts  ix.  6. 

7.  Q.  Must  the  affections  be  made  spiritual  ? 

A.  Yes  :  set  your  affections  on  things  above.  Col.  iii.  2. 

8.  Q.  Must  the  body  also  be  an  instrument  of  holiness  f* 

A.  Yes:  present  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice.     Rom.  xii.  1. 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  be  renewed  after  the  image  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  put  on  the  new  man  which  is  renewed  after  the 
image  of  him  that  created  him.  Col.  iii.  10. 

2.  Q.  And  after  the  pattern  of  Christ  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  Christ  must  be  formed  in  us.  Gal.  iv.  19. 

3.  Q.  Is  sin  mortified,  in  all  that  are  sanctified  1 

A.  Yes :  they  that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh. 
Gal.  v.  24. 

4.  Q.  Is  grace  planted  in  them  } 

A.  Yes :  there  is  a  well  of  water  springing  up  to  eternal 
life.  John  iv.  14. 

5.  Q.  Is  this  work  perfect,  at  first  ? 

A.  No  :  it  is  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear,  after  that  the  full 
corn  in  the  ear.  Mark  iv.  28. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Do  all  that  aie  sanctified  die  unto  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  reckon  ye  yourselves  dead  unto  sin.     Rom.  vi.  11. 

2.  Q.  Do  they  live  unto  righteousness  ? 

A.  Yes  :  being  dead  to  sin,  we  live  unto  righteousness.  1 
Pet.  ii.  24. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  called  to  do  so  1 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  through  the  Spirit  that  we  mortify  the 
deeds  of  the  body.    Rom.  viii.  13. 


96  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  And  is  the  course  of  their  conversation  accordingly  ? 
A.  Yes  :  they  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit. 

Rom.  viii.  1. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  submit  to  the  Spirit,  as  a  sanctifier  ? 
A.  Yes :  walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfil  the  works 

of  the  flesh.     Gal.  v.  16. 

6.  Q.  And  is  the  grace  of  God  promised  us  for  this  purpose? 
4»  Yes  :  sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you.  Rom.  vi.  14. 

XXXVI.  Q.  What  are  the  benefits  which,  in 
this  life,  do  accompany  or  flow  from  justification, 
adoption,  and  sanctification  ? 

Jl.  The  benefits  which,  in  this  life  do  accom- 
pany or  flow  from  justification,  adoption,  and 
sanctification,  are  assurance  of  God's  love,  peace 
of  conscience,  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  increase  of 
grace,  and  perseverance  therein  to  the  end. 

§i. 

J .   Q.  Are  they  that  are  justified  happy  in  this  life  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God. 
Rom.  v.  1. 

2.  Q.  And  are  they  so  that  are  adopted  ? 

A.  Yes :  beloved  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God.  1  John  iii.  2, 

3.  Q.  And  are  they  so  that  are  sanctified. 

A.  Yes :  for  to  the  pure,  all  things  are  pure.  Tit.  i.  15. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  May  they  have  an  assurance  of  God's  love. 

A.  Yes :  ye  know  that  ye  have  eternal  life.  1  John  v.  13. 

2.  Q-  Is  the  Spirit  the  author  of  that  assurance1? 

.4.  Yes :  the  Spirit  itself  bears  witness  with  our  spirits,  that 
we  are  the  children  of  God.  Rom.  viii.  1 6. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  wrought  by  evidences  ? 

A.  Yes :  hereby  we  know  that  we  know  him,  if  we  keep 
his  commandments.  1  John  ii.  3. 

4.  Q.  Do  all  believers  attain  this  assurance  ? 

A.  No  :  some  walk  in  darkness,  and  have  no  light.  Isa.  1. 10. 

5.  Q.  But,  should  they  labour  after  it  > 

A.  Yes :  shew  the  same  diligence  unto  the  full  assurance  of 
hope  unto  the  end.  Heb.  vi.  11. 

6.  Q.  And  is  it  an  unspeakable  comfort  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  97 

A.  Yes:  for  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts, 
through  the  Holy  Ghost.  Rom.  v.  5. 

7.   Q.  And  is  it  just  cause  for  triumph  ? 
A.  Yes:  I  know  whom  I  have  believed.  2  Tim.  i.  12. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  peace  of  conscience  a  precious  privilege  1 

A.  Yes:  for,  if  our  hearts  condemn  us  not,  then  have  we 
confidence  towards  God.  1  John  hi.  21. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  fruit  of  grace  1 

A.  Yes:  for  the  work  of  righteousness  shall  be  peace,  and 
the  effect  of  righteousness  quietness  and  assurance  forever.  Isa. 
xxxii.  17. 

3.  Q.  Has  Christ  left  it,  as  a  legacy  to  his  disciples  ? 

A.  Yes :  peace  I  leave  with  you,  My  peace  I  give  unto  you. 
John  xiv.  27. 

4.  Q.  Can  those  who  are  unjustified  have  this  peace  1 

A.  No:  there  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked.  Isa. 
lvii.  21. 

5.  Q.  Should  those  that  are  justified  labour  after  it  1 
A.  Yes  :  return  to  thy  rest,  0  my  soul.  Ps.  cxvi.  7. 

6.  Q.  Should  this  peace* govern  us] 

A.  Yes  :  let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts.  Col.  hi.  15. 

7.  Q.  And  will  it  preserve  us  1 

A.  Yes :  the  peace  of  God  shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds. 
Philipp.  iv.  7. 

8.  Q.  And  will  it  be  our  comfort  in  the  day  of  evil  ] 

A.  Yes :  our  rejoicing  is  this,  the  testimony  of  our  conscience. 
2  Cor.i.  12. 

9.  Q.  Is  it,  therefore,  our  interest  to  secure  it  1 

A.  Yes :  herein  do  I  exercise  myself,  to  have  always  a  con- 
science void  of  offence.  Acts  xxiv.  16. 

§   IV. 

1.  Q.  May  those  who  are  justified  have  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost? 

A,  Yes :  for,  believing,  we  rqjpice,  with  joy  unspeakable,  and 
full  of  glory.  1  Pet.  i.  8. 

2.  Q.  Have  they  cause  for  joy  ? 

A.  Yes:  for,  gladness  is  sown  for  the  upright  in  heart.  Ps. 
xcvii.  11. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  their  duty  to  rejoice  1 

A.  Yes :  rejoice  in  the  Lord  always,  and  again  I  say  rejoice. 
Phillipp.  iv.  4. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  their  interest  to  rejoice ! 


9S  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  ^  es:  for  the  joy  of  the  Lord  is  their  strength.  Neh.  viii. 
10. 

5.  Q    May  they  rejoice,  in  all  conditions? 

A.   Yes  :  for  we  glory  in  tribulations  also.  Rom.  v.  3. 

6.  Q.  And  is  this  a  superlative  joy  ] 

A.  \es:  it  is  gladness  in  the  heart  more  than  in  the  time 
that  their  corn  and  wine  increased,  Ps.  iv.  7. 

§?• 

1.  Q.  Is  grace  growing  1 

A.  Yes :  he  that  hath  clean  hands  shall  be  stronger  and 
stronger.  Job.  xvi  i.  9. 

2.  Q„  Is  it  so,  in  its  nature ! 

A.  Y  es  :  for  it  is  as  the  shining  light,  which  shines  more  and 
more  unto  the  perfect  day.  Pro  v.  iv.  18. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  grow  in  grace  1 

A.  Yes:  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  2  Pet.  hi.  18. 

4.  Q.  And  may  we  rest  in  what  we  have  attained  1 

A.  No  :  but  press  forward  towards  the  mark.  Philipp.  iii.  14. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  promised  to  all  believers  that  they  shall  grow  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  to  him  that  hath  shall  be  given.  Matt.  xxv.  29. 

6.  Q.  Will  the  grace  of  God  make  them  grow  > 

A.  Yes :  I  will  be  as  the  dew  unto  Israel.  He  shall  grow 
as  the  lily.  Hos.  xiv.  5. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q,  Shall  true  believers  persevere  to  the  end] 

A.  1  es :  for  He  that  hath  begun  a  good  work  will  perform 
it.  Philipp.  i.  6. 

2.  Q,  Will  hypocrites  persevere  1 

A.  No:  these  have  no  root,  which  for  a  while  believe,  and 
in  time  of  temptation  fall  away.  Luke  viii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Does  it  appear,  by  their  apostacy,  that  they  never  were 
sincere  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  went  out  from  us  because  they  were  not  of  us  ; 
for  if  the  y  had  been  of  us,  they  would,  no  doubt,  have  continued 
with  us,   1  John  ii.  19. 

4.  Q.  But  shall  any  that  are  justed  finally  fall  away  1 

A.  No  for,  whom  he  justified,  them  he  glorified.  Rom. 
viii.  30. 

5.  Q.  Is  every  fall  a  falling  away  r* 

A.  N  o  :  for  though  he  falls,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast  down. 
Ps.  xxxvii,  24. 

6.  Q,  May  the  appearances  of  grace  be  lost  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  99 

A.  Yes:  from  him  shall  be  taken  away,  even  that  which  he 
seemed  to  have.  Luke  viii.  18. 

7.  Q.  But,  can  true  grace  be  finally  lost  ? 

A.  No:  it  is  that  good  part  which  shall  never  be  taken  away, 
Luke  x.  42. 

8.  Q.  Will  God  recal  his  gifts  1 

A.  No :  the  gifts  and  callings  of  God,  are  without  repentance. 
Rom.  xi.  29. 

9.  Q.  Will  he  secure  them  1 

A.  Yes :  we  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God,  through  faith, 
unto  salvation.  1  Pet.  i.  5 ;  and  v.  7. 

10.  Q.  Is  the  perseverance  of  the  saints  secured   by  the  di- 
vine power  ] 

A.  Yes :  no  man  is  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my  Father's 
hands.  John  x.  29. 

11.  Q.  And  by  the  divine  providence  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  will  not  sutler  you  to  be  tempted  above  that 
ye  are  able.  1  Cor.  x.  13. 

12.  Q.  And  by  the  divine  grace  ? 

A.  Yes:  I  will  put  my  fear  in  their  hearts,  that  they  shall 
not  depart  from  me.  Jer.  xxxii.  40. 

13.  Q.  And  by  the  intercession  of  Christ  1 

A.  Yes :  I  have  prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not.  Luke 
xxii.  32. 

14.  Q,  And  by  the  indwelling  of  the  Spirit ? 

A.  Yes :  the  anointing  which  you  have  received,  abideth  in 
you.  1  John  ii.  27. 

15.  Q.  And  by  the  stability  of  the  promise  1 

A.  Yes:  My  covenant  will  I  not  break.  Ps.  lxxxbr,  34. 

16.  Q.  May  they  be  secure,  then  1 

A.  No :  be  not  high-minded,  but  fear.  Rom.  xi.  20. 

17.  Q.  But  may  they  be  encouraged? 

A.  Yes :  He  will  preserve  me,  to  his  Heavenly  kingdom.  2 
Tim.  iv.  18. 

XXXVII.  Q.  What  benefits  do  believers  re- 
ceive from  Christ,  at  death? 

*fl.  The  souls  of  believers  are,  at  their  death, 
made  perfect  in  holiness,  and  do  immediately 
pass  into  glory;  and  their  bodies,  being  still 
united  to  Christ,  do  rest  in  their  graves,  till  the 
resurrection. 


100  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§l. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  happiness  of  believers  confined  to  this  present 
life] 

A.  No :  if,  in  this  life  only,  we  have  hope  in  Christ,  we  are, 
of  all  men  most  miserable.  1  Cor.  xv.  1 9. 

2.  Q.  Is  the  best  of  their  happiness  in  this  life  ? 

A.  No :  for,  in  this  world,  ye  shall  have  tribulation.  John 
xvi.  33. 

3.  Q.  Must  they  die,  as  well  as  others  ? 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die.  Heb.  ix.  27. 

4.  Q.  Must  the  best,  and  most  useful  die  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  righteous perisheth, and  merciful  men  are  taken, 
away.  Isa.  lvii.  1. 

5.  O.  Ought  they,  then,  to  wait  for  it  1 

A.  Yes:  all  the  days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait,  till 
my  change  come.  Job  xiv.  14. 

6.  Q.  And  to  prepare  for  it? 

A.  Yes:  therefore,  be  ye  also  ready.  Matt.  xxiv.  44. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  death  loss  to  a  good  christian? 

A.  No  :  for  to  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.  Philipp. 
i.  21. 

2.  Q.  Should  it,  therefore,  be  a  terror  ? 

A ,  No :  for  the  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death.  Prov. 
xiv.  32. 

3.  Q.  Does  God  take  special  care  of  the  death  of  his  people  1 
Q.  Yes :  for,  precious,  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  is  the  death 

of  his  saints.  Ps.  cxvi.  15. 

4.  Q.  Is  death  in  the  covenant  1 

A.  Yes  :  all  is  yours,  whether  life  or  death.  1  Cor.  iii.  22. 

5.  Q.  Can  it  separate  them  from  the  love  of  God  ? 

A.  No:  neither  death  nor  life  can  do  that.  Rom.  viii.  38. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  believers  perfect  in  holiness,  in  this  life  ? 

A-  No :  I  have  not  yet  attained,  neither  am  already  perfect. 
Philipp.  iii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Are  their  souls  made  perfect,  at  death  1 

A.  Yes:  the  spirits  of  just  men  are  made  perfect.  Heb.  xii.  23. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  delivered  from  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  he  that  is  dead  is  freed  from  sin.  Pom.  vi.  7. 

4.  Q.  Are  they  made  perfect  in  knowledge  1 

A.  Yes:  then  shall  I  know,  even  as  also  I  am  known.  1 
Cor.  xiii.  12. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  101 

5.  Q.  And  perfect  in  holiness  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  are  come  to  the  perfect  man,  to  the  mea- 
sure of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ.  Ephes.  iv.  1 3. 

6.  Q.  Might  they  pass  into  glory  without  being  made  perfect 
in  holiness  1 

A.  No :  for  corruption  cannot  inherit  incorruption.  1  Cor. 
xv.  50. 

7.  Q.  Being  made  perfect  in  holiness,  are  they  confirmed  in 
it? 

A.  Yes :  he  that  is  holy,  let  him  be  holy  still.  Rev.  xxii.  11. 
§iv. 

1.  Q.  Do  the  souls  of  believers,  at  death,  sleep  with  their 
bodies? 

A.  No :  for  when  we  are  absent  from  the  body  we  are  present 
with  the  Lord.  2  Cor.  v.  8. 

2.  Q.  Do  they  go  to  Christ? 

A.  Yes :  having  a  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ. 
Philipp.  i.  23. 

3.  Q.  And  will  he  receive  them  1 

A.  Yes  :  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit.  Acts  vii.  59. 

4.  Q.  Shall  they  be  where  he  is? 

A.  Yes :  that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also.  John  xiv.  3, 

5.  Q.  Will  they  be  with  him  in  Heaven  ? 

A.  Yes:  we  have  a  house,  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  Heavens.  2  Cor.  v.  1. 

6.  Q.  Do  they  pass  into  this  glory,  at  death  1 

A.  Yes :  that,  when  ye  fail,  ye  may  be  received  into  ever- 
lasting habitations.  Luke  xvi.  9. 

7.  Q.  Do  they  immediately  pass  into  it? 

A.  Yes :  this  day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  Paradise.  Luke 
xxiii.  43. 

8.  Q.  Are  they  guarded  by  angels  thither  1 

A.  Yes :  he  was  carried  by  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom. 
Luke  xvi.  22. 

9.  Q.  Are  they  happy,  then,  in  their  death  ? 

A.  Yes :  blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord.  Rev. 
xiv.  13. 

1 0.  Q.  Happier  than  in  life  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  day  of  their  death  is  better  than  the  day  of  their 
birth.  Eccl.  vii.  1. 

11.  Q.  And  is  their  end  peace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the   upright,  for 
the  end  of  that  man  is  peace.  Ps.  xxxvii.  37. 


102  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Is  death  gain  to  the  wicked  man  ? 

A  No  :  for,  when  a  wicked  man  dies,  his  expectation  shall 
perish.  Prov.  xi.  7. 

2.  Q.  Is  it,  therefore,  a  terror  to  the  wicked  1 

A.  Yes :  this  night,  thy  soul  shall  be  required  of  thee.  Luke 
xii.  20. 

3.  Q.  Do  the  souls  of  the  wicked,  at  death,  go  into  torment  ? 
A.  Yes  :  the  rich  man  died,  and  was  buried,  and  in  hell  he 

lifted  up  his  eyes,  being  in  torment.  Luke  xvi.  22,  23. 

4.  Q.  Do  they  go  away,  under  the  guilt  of  their  sins  1 

A.  Yes :  if  ye  believe  not  that  I  am  he,  ye  shall  die  in  your 
sins.  John  viii.  24. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living 
God  1 

A.  Yes:  for  our  God  is  a  consuming  fire.  Heb.  xii.  29. 

6.  Q.  Are  the  souls  of  believers  distinguished  from  them  1 
A.  Yes :  but  God  will  redeem  my  soul  from  the   power  of 

the  grave.  Ps.  xlix.  15. 

§  VI. 

1 .  Q.  Are  the  bodies  of  believers  well  provided  for  at  death  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  the  Lord  is  for  the  body.  1  Cor.  vi.  13. 

2.  Q.  May  they  be  cheerfully  committed  to  the  grave? 
A.  Yes :  my  flesh  also  shall  rest  in  hope.  Ps.  xvi.  9. 

3.  Q.  Do  they  still  remain  united  to  Christ  7 

A.  Yes :  for  they  sleep  in  Jesus.  1  Thess.  iv.  14. 

4.  Q.  Do  they  rest  in  their  graves  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  there  the  weary  be  at  rest.  Job  iii.  17. 

5.  Q.  Is  the  grave  a  good  christian's  bed  1 

A.  Yes :  he  shall  enter  into  peace :  they  shall  rest  in  their 
beds.  Isa.  Ivii.  2. 

6.  Q.  May  the  saints  triumph  over  the  grave,  then  1 

A.  Yes :  0,  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  1    1  Cor.  xv.  55. 

7.  Q.  And  need  they  to  fear  any  evil  in  it? 

A.  No  :  for  the  sucking  child  shall  play  upon  the  hole  of  the 
asp.  Isa.  xi.  8. 

8.  Q.  Are  all  who  are  regenerate  delivered  from  the  second 
death  > 

A.  Yes:  blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  first 
resurrection.  On  such,  the  second  death  shall  have  no  power. 
Rev.  xx.  6. 

§vn. 

1.  Q.  Shall  the  dead  be  raised  again  ] 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  103 

A.  Yes :  there  shall  be  a  resurrection  of  the  dead,  both  of 
the  just  and  of  the  unjust.  Acts  xxiv.  15. 

2.  Q.  Shall  the  same  body  be  raised  again  ? 

A.  Yes :  though  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this  body,  yet 
in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God.  Job  xix.  26. 

3.  Q.  Shall  it  be  done  by  the  power  of  Christ? 

A.  Yes :  for  as,  in  Adam,  all  die,  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be 
made  alive.   1  Cor.  xv.  22. 

4.  Q.  Shall  there  be  a  vast  difference  between  the  godly  and 
the  wicked,  at  the  resurrection  ? 

A,  Yes:  for  some  shall  awake  to  everlasting  life,  and  some 
to  shame  and  everlasting  contempt.  Dan.  xii.  2. 

5.  Q.  Has  Christ  himself  assured  us  of  this  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  hour  is  coming  when  all  that  are  in  the  graves 
shall  hear  his  voice,  and  shall  come  forth,  they  that  have  done 
good  unto  the  resurrection  of  life,  and  they  that  have  done  evil, 
to  the  resurrection  of  condemnation.  John  v.  28,  29. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  certain,  when  this  shall  be? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  hath  appointed  a  day.  Acts  xvii.  31. 

7.  Q.  But,  is  it  known  to  us] 

A.  A.  No:  for  of  that  day  and  hour  knoweth  no  man.  Mark 
xiii.  32. 

XXXVIII.  Q.  What  benefits  do  believers  re- 
ceive from  Christ,  at  the  resurrection  ? 

Ji.  At  the  resurrection,  believers  being  raised 
tip  in  glory,  shall  be  openly  acknowledged  and 
acquitted  in  the  day  of  judgment,  and  made 
perfectly  blessed  in  the  full  enjoying  of  God,  to 
all  eternity. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Shall  the  dead  bodies  of  believersjae  raised? 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  dead  shall  be  raised.  1  Cor.  xv.  52. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  possible,  that  the  same  body,  should  return  to  life 
again? 

A.  Yes  :  why  should  it  seem  a  thing  incredible  with  you  that 
God  should  raise  the  dead  ?  Acts  xxvi.  8. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  certain  that  they  shall  be  raised  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  if  there  be  no  resurrection  of  the  dead,  then  is 
Christ  not  risen.  1  Cor.  xv.  13. 

4.  Q.  Has  Christ  undertaken  for  the  resurrection  of  believers? 
A.  Yes:  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life.  John  xi.  25. 


104  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

5.   Q.  Are  they  in  error  who  deny  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  ye  do  err,  not  knowing  the  scriptures,  nor  the 
power  of  God.  Matt.  xxii.  29. 

§ir. 

1 .  Q.  Shall  the  believer's  body  be  raised  up  in  glory  ? 

A.  Yes :  it  is  sown  in  dishonour,  it  is  raised  in  glory.  1  Cor. 
xv.  43. 

2.  Q.  Shall  it  be  the  glory  of  Christ's  glorified  body  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  shall  change  our  vile  bodies,  that  they  may  be 
fashioned  like  unto  his  glorious  body.  Philipp.  iii.  21. 

3.  Q.  Shall  they  be  raised,  by  virtue  of  their  union  with 
Christ  1 

A.  Yes :  together  with  my  dead  body  shall  they  arise.  Isa. 
xxvi.  19. 

4.  Q.  Shall  they  be  raised  to  such  a  life  as  we  now  live  ? 

A.  No:  for,  in  the  resurrection,  they  neither  marry  nor  are 
given  in  marriage.  Matt.  xxii.  30. 

5.  Q.  Shall  they  be  raised  to  an  immortal  life  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  this  mortal  shall  put  on  immortality.  1    Cor. 
xv.  53. 

6.  Q.  Shall  they  that  are  found  alive  be  changed? 

A.  Yes  :  behold  I  shew  you  a  mystery.     We  shall  not  all 
sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be  changed.  1  Cor.  xv.  51. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Shall  all  the  saints,  at  that  day,  be  brought  to  Jesus 
Christ  ? 

A.  Yes:  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  there  shall 
be  a  gathering  together  unto  him.  2  Thess.  ii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Shall  they  be  separated  from  the  wicked  ? 

A.  Yes :  as  the  shepherd  divideth  the  sheep  from  the  goats. 
Matt.  xxv.  32. 

3.  Q.  Shall  all  the  saints  be  there  together  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  shall  gather  his  elect  from  the  four  winds. 
Matt.  xxiv.  31. 

4.  Q.  And  none  but  saints  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  shall  gather  out  of  Ms  kingdom,  all  things 
that  offend.  Matt.  xiii.  41. 

5.  Q.  And  saints  made  perfect  ? 

A.  Yes:  for,  then,  that  which  is  perfect  is  come.  1  Cor. 
xiii.  10. 

6.  Q.  Shall  they  attend  upon  Christ,  at  his  coming? 

A .  Yes :  behold  the  Lord  cometh,  with  ten  thousands  of  his 
saints.  Jude  14. 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  105 

7.   Q.  Shall  they  be  assessors  with  him,  in  his  judgment  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  saints  shall  judge  the  world.  1  Cor.  vi.  2. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Shall  they  be  openly  acknowledged,  in  the  day  of 
judgment  1 

A.  Yes:  him  will  I  confess,  before  my  Father  which  is  in 
Heaven.  Matt.  x.  32. 

2.  Q-  "Will  God  own  them,  as  his  own  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord,  in  that  day 
when  I  make  up  my  jewels.  Mai.  iii.  1 7. 

3.  Q.  And  will  that  be  their  honour! 

A.  Yes  :  if  any  man  serve  me,  him  will  my  Father  honour. 
John  xii.  26. 

4.  Q.  Shall  they  be  openly  acquitted  > 

A.  Yes :  for  their  sins  shall  be  blotted  out,  when  the  times 
of  refreshing  come.  Acts  iii.  1 9. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Shall  the  wicked  be  condemned,  then? 

A.  Yes  :  He  shall  say  to  them  on  his  left  hand,  depart  from 
me.  Matt.  xxv.  41. 

2.  Q.  Shall  they  be  sent  away,  with  a  blessing  1 
A.  No:  depart,  ye  cursed.  Matt.  xxv.  41. 

3.  Q.  Shall  they  go  into  a  place  of  ease  > 
A.  No  :  into  fire.  Matt.  xxv.  41. 

4.  Q.  Into  ordinary  fire  ? 

A.  No  :  into  fire  prepared.  Matt.  xxv.  41. 

5.  Q.  Shall  it  be  for  a  short  time  1 

A.  No  :  but  into  everlasting  fire.  Matt.  xxv.  41. 

6.  Q.  Shall  they  have  good  company  ? 

A.  No:  but  the  devil  and  his  angels.  Matt  xxv.  41. 

7.  Q.  Will  the  salvation  of  the  saints  aggravate  their  con- 
demnation ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  shall  see  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob, 
in  the  kingdom  of  Heaven.  Luke  xiii.  28. 
§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Shall  the  saints,  at  the  day  of  judgment,  be  put  in  pos- 
session of  eternal  life  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  righteous  into  life  eternal.  Matt.  xxv.  46, 

2.  Q.  Shall  they  be  blest! 

A.  Yes:  come  ye  blessed  of  my  Father.  Matt.  xxv.  34. 

3.  Q.  Shall  they  be  perfectly  blessed  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  in  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy.  Ps.  xvi.  11.    • 

4.  Q.  Shall  there  be  any  sin  in  Heaven  1 


106  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No  :  for  they  are  as  the  angels  of  God  in  Heaven.  Matt, 
xxii.  30. 

5.  Q    8hall  there  be  any  sorrow  there  ? 

A.  No  :  for  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes. 
Rev.  x?      !. 

6.  Q.  Snail  there  be  any  dying  there  ? 

«#.  No  :  there  shall  be  no  more  death.  Rev.  xxi.  4. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Is  Heaven  a  place  of  rest  1 

A.  Yes  :  there  remaineth  a  rest  for  the  people  of  God.  Heb. 
iv.  9. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  light] 

A.  Y  cs  :  it  is  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light.  Col.  i.  12. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  honour  ? 

A.  Yes:  it  is  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away.  1  Pet. 
v.  4. 

4.  O.  Is  it  wealth  1 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  an  inheritance  incorruptible.  1  Pet.  i.  4. 

h    Q.  is  it  joy? 

A.  Yes  :  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.  Matt.  xxv.  21. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  Shall  we,  in  Heaven,  see  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him,  for  we 
shall  see  him  as  he  is.  1  John  iii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Shall  we  see  him  clearly  ? 

A.  Yes :  now  we  see  through  a  glass  darkly,  but  then  face 
to  face.   1  Cor.  xiii.  12. 

3.  Q.  Shall  we  enjoy  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be  their  God. 
Rev.  xx      :. 

4.  Q.  Shall  we  be  satisfied  in  the  vision  and  fruition  of  God  ? 
A.  Yes :  I  shall  be  satisfied,  when  I  awake  with  thy  likeness. 

Ps.  xvii       ). 

5.  Q.  Shall  this  be  everlasting  1 

A.  Yes  :  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord.  1  Thess.  iv.  17. 

1.  Q.  Is  this  happiness  purchased1? 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  the  purchased  possession.  Ephes.  i.  14. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  promised  1 

A.  Yes:   it  is   eternal  life,  which  God,   that  cannot   lie, 
promised.  Tit.  i.  2. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  sure  to  all  good  christians  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  107 

A.  Yes:  even  the  poor  in  the  world,  if  rich  in  faith,  are  heirs 
of  the  kingdom.     James  ii.  5. 

4.  Q.  Should  we  not  be  solicitous  that  it  may  be  sure  with  us  1 
A.  Yes:  What  shall  I  do,  that  I  may  inherit  eternal  life? 

Luke  xviii.  18. 

5.  Q.  Should  we  not,  then,  have  it  much  in  our  eye  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  look  not  at  the  things  that  are  seen,  but  the 
things  that  are  not  seen.  2  Cor.  iv.  1 8. 

6.  Q.  And  should  we  not  be  comforted,  and  encouraged  with 
the  pi-ospect  of  it  ] 

A .  Yes :  for  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  n  at  worthy 
to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revc^d.  Kom. 
viii.  18. 

XXXIX.  Q.  What  is  the  duty  which  God 
require th  of  man  ? 

*ri.  The  duty  which  God  requireth  of  man,  is 

obedience  to  his  revealed  will. 
§i. 

1 .  Q.  Does  God  require  duty  of  men  1 

A.  Yes :  now,  O  Israel,  what  doth  the  Lord  thy  God  require 
of  theel  Deut.  x.  12. 

2.  Q.  Of  every  man  1 

A.  Yes :  he  that  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear.  Matt.  xiii.  9. 

3.  Q.  Has  he  authority  to  require  duty  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  I  be  a  master,  where  is  my  fear  ?  Mai.  i.  6. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  fit  he  should  rule  us  1 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  his  people,  and  the  sheep  of  his  pasture, 
Ps.  c.  3. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  fit  we  should  obey  him  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  borrower  is  servant  to  the  lender  and  the 
fool  is  servant  to  the  wise  in  heart.  Prov.  xxii.  7 ;  xi.  29. 

6.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  inquire  what  our  duty  is? 

A.  Yes :  teach  me,  O  Lord,  the  way  of  thy  statutes.  Ps. 
cxix.  33. 

§n. 

1 .  Q.  Has  God  made  known  his  will,  concerning  our  duty  ? 
A.  Yes :  he  sheweth  his  word  unto  Jacob,  his  statutes  and 

his  judgments  unto  Israel.  Ps.  cxlvii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  obey  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  thou  shalt  obey  the  voice  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  and 
do  his  commandments.  Deut.  xxvii.  10. 


10S  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

3.  Q.  Is  that  obedience  the  condition  of  our  acceptance  ? 

A.  Yes:  obey  my  voice,  and  I  will  be  your  God.  Jer.  vii. 23. 

4.  Q.  Is  obedience  to  God  reasonable  ? 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  our  reasonable  service.  Rom.  xii.  1. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  easy  1 

A.  Yes :  for  his  commandments  are  not  grievous.  1  John  v.  3. 

6.  Q.  And  will  it  be  acceptable  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  to  obey  is  better  than  sacrifice.  1  Sam.  xv.  22. 
§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Must  our  obedience  to  God  be  sincere  ? 

A.  Yes :  fear  the  Lord,  and  serve  him,  in  sincerity,  and  in 
truth.  Josh.  xxiv.  14. 

2.  Q.  Must  it  be  universal  1 

A.  Yes  :  then  shall  I  not  be  ashamed,  when  I  have  respect 
unto  all  thy  commandments.  Ps.  cxix.  6. 

3.  Q.  Must  it  be  with  delight  > 

A.  Yes :  I  delight  in  the  law  of  God,  after  the  inward  man. 
Rom.  vii.  22. 

4.  Q.  Must  it  be  constant  1 

A.  Yes :  be  thou  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  all  the  day  long. 
Prov.  xxiii.  17. 

5.  Q.  Must  God's  commands  take  place  of  men's  > 

A.  Yes  :  we  ought  to  obey  God  rather  than  man.  Acts  v.  29, 
and  iv.  19. 

§iv. 

1 .  Q.  Should  we,  therefore,  labour  to  know  the  will  of  God  ? 
A.  Yes :  understand  what  the  will  of  the  Lord  is.  Ephes.  v.  17. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  study  his  secret  will  ? 

A.  No  :  for  secret  things  belong  not  to  us.  Deut.  xxix.  29. 

3.  Q.  But  his  revealed  will? 

A.  Yes  :  for  things  revealed  belong  to  us,  and  to  our  children, 
that  we  may  do  all  the  words  of  this  law.  Deut.  xxix.  29. 

4.  Q.  Is  obedience  to  God's  revealed  will,  the  whole  duty  of 


man 


A.  Yes :  let  us  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter  : 
Fear  God  and  keep  his  commandments,  for  this  is  the  whole 
duty  of  man.  Eccl.  xii.  13. 

XL.  Q.  What  did  God  at  first,  reveal  to  man, 
for  the  rule  of  his  obedience  ? 

*#.  The  rule  which  God  at  first  revealed  to 
man,  for  his  obedience,  was,  the  moral  law. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  109 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Was  the  moral  law  revealed  to  man  in  innocency  1 
A,  Yes  :  for  God  created  man  in  his  own  image.  Gen.i.  27 

2.  Q.  Is  it  written  in  the  heart  of  man  1 

A.  Yes :  they  shew  the   work  of  the  law  written  in  their 
heart.  Rom.  ii.  15. 

3.  Q.  Is  there,  then,  a  law  of  nature  1 

A.  Yes  :  doth  not  even  nature  itself  teach  you  ?  1  Cor.  xi.  14. 

4.  Q.  Is  that  a  law  of  God  1 

Jt.  Yes :  for  he  openeth  the  ears  of  men,  and  sealeth  their 
instruction.  Job.  xxxiii.  16. 

5.  Q.  Does  natural  conscience  enforce  that  law  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  Gentiles,  which  have  not  the  law,  do,  by 
nature,  the  things  contained  in  the  law.  Rom.ii.  14. 

6.  Q.  Did  the  Gentiles  sin,  by  the  breach  of  that  law  1 

A.  Yes :  what  they  know  naturally,  in  these  things  they  cor- 
rupt themselves.  Jude  10. 

7.  Q.  And  will  they  be  punised  for  the  breach  of  it  1 

A.  Yes :  they  that  have  sinned  without  law,  shall  perish  with- 
out law.  Rom.ii.  12. 

in. 

1.  Q.  Has  God  given  us  the  moral  law,  more  fully  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  have  written  unto  him  the  great  things  of  my  law. 
Hos.  viii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  under  that  law,  as  a  covenant  1 

A.  No :  for  a  man  is  not  justified  by  the  works  of  the  law. 
Gal.  ii.  16. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  under  it  as  a  rule  1 

A.  Yes:  we  are  under  the  law  to  Christ.  1  Cor.ix.  21. 
§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Is  the  law  of  God  very  extensive  1 

A.  Yes:  thy  commandment  is  exceeding  broad.  Ps.cxix.  96. 

2.  Q.  And  very  excellent  1 

A.  Yes :  the  law  is  holy  and  the  commandment  is  holy,  and 
just,  and  good.  Rom.  vii.  12. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  admirable  ? 

A.  Yes :  thy  testimonies  are  wonderful.  Ps.  cxix.  129. 

4.  Q.  Is  any  thing  unjust  in  it  1 

A.  No :  I  esteem  all  thy  precepts  concerning  all  things  to  be 
right.  Ps.  cxix.  128. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  beyond  any  other  law  ? 

A.  Yes:  what  nation  is  there  so  great,  that  hath  statutes  and 
ju  'gments  so  righteous.  Deut.  iv.  8. 


110  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  law  of  God  bind  the  inward  man'! 
A.  Yes :  for  the  law  is  spiritual.  Rom.  vii.  14. 

2.  Q.  Does  it  forbid  heart-sins  1 

A.  Yes:  wash  thy  heart  from  wickedness.  Jer.  iv,  14. 

3.  Q.  Does  it  require  heart-service  1 

A.  Yes  :  my  son,  give  me  thy  heart.  Prov.  xxiii.  26. 

4.  Q.  Does  the  law  shew  us  our  way  ? 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  a  light  to  our  feet.  Ps.  cxix.  105. 

5.  Q.  Does  it  discover  sin  to  us  1 

A.  Yes:  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin.  Rom.  iii.  20. 

6.  Q.  Does  it  warn  us  concerning  sin  and  duty  1 

A.  Yes  :  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned.  Ps.  xix.  1 1. 

7.  Q.  Does  it  shew  us  the  need  of  Christ  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  law  was  our  school-master,  to  bring  us  to  Christ. 
Gal.  iii.  24. 

8.  Q.  And  does  Christ  do  that  for  us  which  the  law  could  not  ? 
A.  Yes:  Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness.  Rom. 

x.  4. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  to  love  the  law  of  God  1 

A.  Yes :  I  love  thy  commandments  above  gold.  Ps.  cxix.  127. 

2.  Q.  And  to  consult  it,  upon  all  occasions  ? 

A.  Yes :  thy  testimonies  are  my  delight  and  my  counsellors. 
Ps.  cxix.  24. 

3.  Q.  And  to  confirm  it  1 

A.  Yes :  we  must  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord.  Ps.  cxix.  1 

XLI.  Q.  Wherein  is  the  moral  law  summarily 
comprehended  ? 

A.  The  moral  law  is  summarily  comprehended 
in  the  ten  commandments. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Was  the  law  in  force  before  the  ten  commandments 
were  given  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  Abraham  commanded  his  children  to  keep  the 
wav  of  the  Lord.  Gen.xviii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  at  last  summed  up  in  these  commandments  1 
A.  Yes:  for  the  law  was  given  by  Moses.  John  i.  17. 

3.  Q.  Was  the  law  of  the  ten  commandments  given  first  to 
Israel  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  Ill 

A.  Yes :  he  made  known  his  ways  unto  Moses,  his  acts  to 
the  children  of  Israel.  Ps.  ciii.  7. 

4.   Q.  But  are  they  binding  to  us  now  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  came  not  to  destroy  the  law,  but  to  fulfil. 
Matt.  v.  17. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  himself  give  these  commandments? 

A.  Yes :  from  his  right  hand  went  a  fiery  law  for  them.  Deut. 
xxxiii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Did  God  himself  speak  to  them  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  earnest  down  upon  Mount  Sinai,  and  speakest 
with  them  from  Heaven.  Neh.  ix.  13. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  use  the  ministry  of  angels  therein  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  received  the  law  by  the  disposition  of  angels. 
Acts  vii.  53. 

4.  Q.  Did  God  himself  write  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  gave  unto  Moses  two  tables  of  testimony,  tables 
of  stone,  written  with  the  finger  of  God.  Exod.  xxxi.  18. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Was  the  law  given  with  much  terror? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  was  given  upon  a  mount  that  burned  with 
fire,  and  with  blackness  and  darkness  and  tempest.  Heb.  xii.  18. 

2.  Q.  Was  the  sight  terrible  to  Moses  himself? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  said,  I  exceedingly  fear  and  quake.  Heb. 
xii.  21. 

3.  Q.  Did  it  strike  an  awe  upon  the  people  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  said,  all  that  the  Lord  hath  said  will  we  do, 
and  be  obedient.  Exod.  xxiv.  7. 

4.  Q.  And  should  not  we  be  awed  by  the  consideration  of  it  ? 
A.  Yes :  knowing  the  terror  of  the  Lord,  we  persuade  men. 

2  Cor.  v.  11. 

5.  Q.  Did  the  ten  commandments  include  the  whole  moral 
law? 

A.  Yes :  if  thou  wilt  enter  into  life,  keep  these  command- 
ments. Matt.  xix.  17. 

XLIL  Q.  What  is  the  sum  of  the  ten  com- 
mandments ? 

tfl.  The  sum  of  the  ten  commandments  is,  to 
love  the  Lord  our  God  with  all  our  heart,  and 
all  our  soul,  with  all  our  strength,  and  with  all 
our  mind ;  and  our  neighbour  as  ourselves. 


112  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

§1. 

1 .  Q.  Is  all  the  law  summed  up  in  a  word  1 

A.  Yes  :  all  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  one  word.  Gal.  v.  14. 

2.  Q.  Is  that  a  short  and  sweet  word  1 

A.  Yes:  for  it  is  love;  love  is  the  fulfilling  of  all  the  law. 
Rom.  xiii.  10. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  love  God  1 

A.  Yes :  take  good  heed  to  yourselves,  that  ye  love  the  Lord 
your  God.  Josh,  xxiii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  love  him,  with  a  sincere  love  ? 

A.  Yes :  grace  be  with  them  that  love  him  in  sincerity. 
Ephes.  vi.  24. 

3.  Q.  And  with  a  strong  love  ? 

A.  Yes :  my  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God.  Ps. 
xlii.  2. 

4.  Q.  And  with  a  superlative  love  1 

J.  Yes  :  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee. 
Ps.  Ixxiii.  25. 

5.  Q,  And  is  all  this  included  in  the  first  and  great  command- 
ment ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind.  This  is  the  first 
and  great  commandment.  Matt.  xxii.  37,  38. 

6.  Q.  And  is  this  the  sum  of  our  duty  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  if  any  man  lore  God,  the  same  is  known  of  him. 
1  Cor.viii.  3. 

7.  Q.  Must  those  who  love  God  be  careful  to  please  him  ] 
A.  Yes:  for  this  is  the  love  of  God,  that  we  keep  his  com- 
mandments. 1  John  v.  3. 

8.  Q.  And  must  they  be  afraid  to  offend  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  ye  that  love  the  Lord,  hate  evil.  Ps.  xcvii.  10. 
§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Is  there  good  reason  why  we  should  thus  love  God  ? 
A.  Yes  :  therefore,  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God.  Deut. 

xi.  1. 

2.  Q.  For  is  he  most  lovely  in  himself? 
A .  Yes :  God  is  love,  1  John  iv.  8. 

3.  Q.  And  most  loving  to  us  1 

A.  Yes :  we  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us.  1  John  iv.  1 9. 

4.  Q.  Will  he  return  our  love  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  love  those  that  love  me.  Prov.  viii.  17. 

5.  Q.  Will  he  reward  it  in  this  world  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  113 

A.  Yes :  all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  God.  Rom.  viii.  28. 

6.  Q.  And  in  another  and  better  world  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  eye  hath  not  seen  what  God  hath  prepared  for 
them  that  love  him.  1  Cor.  ii.  9. 

7.  Q.  Will  you,  then,  love  God  above  ah"? 

A.  Yes:  I  will  love  thee,  O  Lord,  my  strength.  Ps.  xviii.  1. 

8.  Q.  And  pray  to  God  to  give  you  grace  to  love  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  direct  our  hearts  into  his  love.  2  Thess. 
iii.  5. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  love  our  neighbour  too? 

Ji..  Yes:  he  that  loveih  God,  must  love  his  brother  also.  I 
John  iv.  21. 

2.  Q.  Can  we  pretend  to  love  God,  if  we  do  not  love  our 
neighbor  > 

A.  No  :  He  that  loveth  not  his  brother,  whom  he  hath  seen, 
how  can  he  love  God.  whom  he  hath  not  seen  ?   1  John  iv.  20. 

3.  Q.  Is  this  the  fulfilling  of  the  law  ? 

A.  Yes :  all  is  comprehended  in  this  saying.  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  Rom.  xiii.  9,  and  James  ii.  8,  and 
Gal.  v.  14. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  second  great  commandment  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  second  is  like  unto  it,  thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bour as  thyself.  Matt.  xxii.  39. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  an  old  commandment  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself.  I  am 
the  Lord.  Lev.  xix.  18. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  a  new  commandment? 

A.  Yes  :  a  new  commandment  I  give  unto  you,  that  ye  love 
ne  another.  John  xiii.  4. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  have  a  respoct  for  all  men  1 
A.  Yes  :  honour  all  men.   1  Pet.  ii.  17. 

2.  Q.  Especially  for  all  good  men  ? 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  honour  them  that  fear  the  Lord.  Ps.  xv.4. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  esteem  one  another  ? 

A.  Yes  :  let  each  esteem  other  better  than  themselves.  Phil- 
ipp.  ii.  3. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  sympathize  with  one  another  ? 

rA.  Yes  :  rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and  weep  with 
em  that  weep.  Rom.  xii.  15. 
5   Q.  Must  we  please  one  another  ? 
6* 


114  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes  :  for  even  Christ  pleased  not  himself,  Rom.  xv.  2,  3. 

6.  Q.  Must  we  help  one  another  1 

A.   Yes :  Bear  ye  one  another's  burthens.  Gal.  vi.  2. 

7.  Q.  Must  we  do  good  to  one  another  ? 

A.  Yes:  as  we  have  opportunity  we  must  do  good  to  all  men? 
Gal.  vi.  10. 

8.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  one  another  1 

Jl.  Yes  :  pray,    one   for  another,    that   ye   may  be  healed. 
James  v.  16. 

9.  Q.  Must  we  love,  even  our  enemies  1 

A.  Yes:  love  your  enemies  bless  them  that  curse  you.  Matt. 
v.  44. 

§  vi. 

1.  Q.  Must  you  hurt  nobody,  in  word  or  deed? 

A.  No :  a  citizen  of  Zion    doth   not  evil  to  his  neighbour, 
nor  taketh  up  a  reproach  against  his  neighbour.  Ps.  xv.  3. 

2.  Q.  Must  you  be  true  and  just  in  all  your  dealings  1 

A.  Yes:  that  which  is  altogether  just  shalt  thou  follow.  Deut. 
xvi.  20. 

3.  Q.  Must  you  bear  no  malice  or  hatred  in  your  heart? 

A.  No  :  for  whosoever  hateth  his  brother,  is  a   murderer.  1 
John  iii.  15. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  love  our  neighbors  as  ourselves  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  are  members  one  of  another.  Ephes.  iv.  2S. 

2.  Q.  As  truly  as  we  love  ourselves  ? 

A.  Yes  :  let  love  be  without  dissimulation.  Rom.  xii.  9. 

3.  Q.  And  as  fruitfully  f 

A.  Yes  :  not  seeking  my  own  profit,  but  the  profit  of  many. 
1  Cor.  x.  33. 

4.  Q.  And  as  constantly  as  we  love  ourselves  ! 
A.  Yes:  let  brotherly  love  continue.  Heb.  xiii.  1. 

5.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  do  as  we  would  be  done  by  ? 
A.  Yes :  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you, 

do  ye  even  so  to  tbem.  Matt.  vii.  12. 

6.  Q.  Should  we,  in  our  places,  promote  christian  love ! 

A.  Yes :  for  every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of  God.  1  John 
iv.  7. 

7.  Q.  And  will  this  be  our  comfort? 

A.  Yes  :  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  shall 
be  with  you.  2  Cor  xiii.  11. 

XLIII.  Q.  What  is  the  preface   to   the   ten 
commandments  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  115 

A.  The  preface  to  the  ten  commandments  is 
in  these  words,  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  which 
have  brought  thee  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt, 
out  of  the  house  of  bondage. 
§r. 

1.  Q.  Did  God  himself  speak  the  ten  commandments  1 
A.  Yes:  God  spake  all  these  words,  saying.  Exod.  xx.  1. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  tit  they  should  be  introduced  with  a  solemn 
preface  ? 

A.  Yes  :  hear,  O  heavens,  and  give  ear  O  earth,  for  the 
Lord  hath  spoken.  Isa.  i.  2. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  therein  assert  his  own  authority? 
A.  Yes  :  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God.  Exod.  xx.  1. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  remind  them  of  the  great  things  he  had  lately 
done  for  them. 

A.  Yes :  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  from  the  land  of  Egypt. 
Hos.  xii.  9. 

§IT. 

1.  Q.  Was  the  condition  of  Israel  in  Egypt  very  miserable? 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  Egyptians  made  them  to  serve,  with  rigour. 

Exod.  i.  13. 

2.  Q.  Did  God  bring  them  out  of  Egypt  1 

A.  Yes  :  he  brought  Israel  from  among  them  ;  for  his  mercy 
end ureth  forever.  Ps.  cxxxvi.  11. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  do  it  miraculously  ? 

A.  Yes  :  Willi  a  strong  hand,  and  a  stretched  out  arm,  for 
his  mercy  endureth  forever.  Ps.  cxxxvi.  12. 

4.  Q.  Did  this  oblige  them  to  keep  his  commandments  1 

A.  Yes  :  When  I  brought  them  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  I 
I  said,  obey  my  voice.  Jer.  v;i.  22,  23. 

5.  Q.  But  does  this  concern  us  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  unto  us  was  the  gospel  preached,  as  well  as  un- 
to them.  Heb.  iv.  2. 

6.  Q.  For  is  God  the  God  of  the  Jews  only  >  Is  he  not  also  of 
the  Gentiles  ? 

A.  Yes:  of  the  Gentiles  also.  Rom.  iii.  29. 

XLIV.  Q.  What  doth  the  preface  to  the  ten 
commandments  teach  us  ? 

A.  The  preface  to  the.  ten  commandments 
teacheth  us,  that  because  God  is  the  Lord,  and 


116  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

our  God,  and  Redeemer,  therefore,  we  are  bound 
to  keep  all  his  Commandments. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  the  Lord  Jehovah  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  am  the  Lord,  that  is  my  name.  Is.  xlii.  8. 

2.  Q.  Is  that  a  reason  why  we  should  keep  his  command- 
ments ? 

A.  Yes  :  ye  shall  observe  my  statutes,  and  do  them.     I  am 
the  Lord.  Lev.  xix.  37. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  our  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  is  thy  praise,  and  he  is  thy  God.  Dcut.  x.  21. 

4.  Q.  Is  that  a  reason  why   we  should  keep  his  command- 
ments ? 

A.  Yes :  for  all  people  will  walk  every  one  in  the  name   of 
their  God.  Mich.  iv.  5.  Ps.  xcv.  7. 
§ir. 

1.  Q.  Is  he  our  Redeemer? 

A.  Yes:  thou,  O    Lord,  art    our  father,  our  redeemer.  Isa. 
Ixiii.  16. 

2.  Q.  Has  he  redeemed  us  from  outward  troubles  ? 

A.  Yes:  behold,  the  Lord  hath  kept  me  alive.  Josh.  xiv.  10. 

3.  Q.  And  are  we,  therefore,  bound   to  keep  his  command- 
ments r* 

A.  Yes  :  truly,  I  am  thy  servant,  thou  hast  loosed  my  bonds. 
Ps.  cxvi.  16. 

4.  And  are  we  very  ungrateful,  if  we  do  not  ? 

A.  Yes :  now  thou  hast  given  us  such  deliverance  as  this, 
should  we  again  break  thy  commandments]  Ezra  ix.  13,  11. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Has  God  brought  us  out  of  a  spiritual  Egypt? 

A.  Yes:  for  Christ  proclaims  liberty   to  the  captives.    Is. 
Ixi.  1. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  delivered  from  the  bonds  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  shall  redeem  Israel  from  all  their  iniquities.  Ps. 
cxxx.  8. 

3.  O.  And  is  our  deliverance  by  Christ  greater  than  theirs 
out  of  Egypt  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  if  the  son  make  you  free,  then  you  shall  be  free 
indeed.  John  viii.  36. 

4.  Q.  And  are  we,  therefore,  bound  to  keep  all  his  command- 
ments 1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  117 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  delivered  out  of  the  hands  of  our  ene- 
mies, that  we  might  serve  him.  Luke  i.  74. 

5.  Q.  And  was  this  the  design  of  our  redemption  ? 

A.  Yes:  he  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us 
from  all  iniquity.  Tit.  ii.  14. 

6.  Q.  Is  there,  then,  all  the  reason  in  the  world  why  we 
should  be  religious  > 

A.  Yes:  come,  now,  and  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the 
Lord.  Is.  i.  18. 

XLV.  Q.  Which  is  the  first  commandment  ? 
Jl.  The   first  commandment  is,  Thou  shall 
have  no  other  gods  before  me. 

§i. 

1.  Q  Is  it  an  essential  duty  of  religion,  to  worship  God  > 

A.  Yes  :  for  those  have  no  hope,  that  are  without  God  in  the 
world.  Ephes.  ii.  12. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  concerned  to  be  right,  in  the  object  of  our  wor- 
ship 1 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  know  what  we  worship.  John  iv.  32. 

3.  Q.  Does  the  first  commandment  direct  us  in  this  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  first  of  all  the  commandments  is  this,  Hear  0 
Israel,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord.  Mark  xii.  29. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Does  God  lay  a  stress  upon  our  having  him  for  oar 
God? 

A.  Yes  :  Hear,  0,  my  people,  and  I  will  speak  :  I  am  God, 
even  thy  God.  Ps.  i.  7. 

2.  Q.  And  upon  our  having  him  only  ? 

A.  Yes  :  hear,  O  my  people,  and  I  will  testify  unto  thee ; 
there  shall  no  strange  god  be  in  thee,  neither  shalt  thou  wor- 
ship any  strange  god.  Ps.  lxxxi.  8,  9. 

3.  Q.  Did  Israel  need  this  commandment  f* 

A.  Yes:  for  their  fathers  served  other  gods.  Josh.  xxiv.  2. 

4.  Q.  And  were  they  tempted  to  serve  other  gods  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  gods  of  the  people  that  were  round  about  them, 
Deut.xiii.  7. 

XLVI.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  first  com- 
mandment ? 

Jl.  The  first  commandment  requireth  us  to 
know  and  acknowledge  God  to  be  the  only  true 


118  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

God,  and  our  God,  and  to  worship  and  glorify 
him  accordingly. 

*Xi 

l.    Q.  Does  that  which  forbids  us  to  have  any   other  gods, 
require  us  to  have  the  true  God  i» 

A.  Yes  :  Put  away  the  strange  gods,  and   serve  the  Lord 
only.   1  Sam.  vii.  3,  4. 
.  2.   Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  acknowledge  God  > 

-3.  Yes  :  the  Lord  he  is  God  ;  the  Lord,  he  is  God.   1  Kings 
xviii.  39. 

3.    Q.  And  must  we  acknowledge  him  to  be  the  only  true 
God? 

A.  Yes:  thou   art   the   God,   even   thou   alone.    2    Kings, 
xix.  15. 

*"; 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  acquaint  ourselves  with  him  1 

A.   Yes  :  acquaint,  now,  thyself  with  him,  and  be  at  peace. 
Job.  xxii.  21. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  grow  in  that  acquaintance  ? 

A.  Yes:  increasing  in  the  knowledge  of  God.  Col,  i.  10. 

3.  Q.  And  may  we  attain  to  it  ? 

A.   Fes  :  then  shall  we  know,  if  we  follow  on  to  know  the 
Lord.  Hos.  vi.  3. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  accept  of  God  for  our  God? 

A.  Yes:  Thou  hast  avouched  the  Lord  this  day,  to  be  thy 
God.  Deut.  xxvi.  17. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  join  ourselves  to  him  ? 

A.  Yes:  come  and  let  us  join  ourselves  to  the  Lord  in  an 
everlasting  consent.  Jer.  1. 5. 

3.  Q.  And  covenant  to  be  his  > 

A.  Yes  :  O  Lord,  truly  I  am  thy  servant,  I  am  thy  servant. 
Ps.  cxvi.  16. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  take  God  the  Father  to  be  our  chief  good  and 
highest  end  > 

A.  Yes  :  O  God,  thou  art  my  God.  Ps.  lxiii.  1. 

5.  Q.  And  God  the  Son,  to  be  our  Prince  and  Saviour  1 
A.  Yes:  my  Lord  and  my  God.  John  xx.  28. 

6.  Q.  And  God  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  our  sanctifier,  teacher, 
guide,  and  comforter? 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  that  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  are  the 
sons  of  God.  Rom.  viii.  14. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  119 

7.  0.  Must  we  renounce  all  others  1 
JJ.  Yes :  for  by  thee  only  will  we  mak9  mention  of  thy  name. 

xxvi.  1 3. 

8.  Q.  Must  we  do  this  deliberately  ? 
A.  Yes:  choose  ye,  this  day,  whom  ye  will  serve.   Josh. 

xxiv.  15. 

9.  Q.  Must  we  do  it  solemnly  1 
A.  Yes :  one  shall  say  I   am  the  Lord's  and  another  shall 

subscribe  with  his  hand  unto  the  Lord.  Is.  xliv.  5. 

1 0.  Q.  Must  we  do  it  resolutely  1 

A.  Yes :  nay.  but  we  will  serve  the  Lord.  Josh.  xxiv.  21. 

11.  Q.  May  we  be  at  liberty  to  change  our  Master? 

A.  Ko  :  but  with  purpose  of  heart  must  cleave  to  the  Lord. 
Acts  xi.  23. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  When  we  have  avouched  the  Lord  for  cur  God,  must 
we  apply  ourselves  to  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  the  Lord  be  God,  then  follow  him.  1  Kings 
xviii.  21. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  glorify  him  accordingly  1 

A.  Yes :  give  unto  the  Lord  the  gloiy  due  unto  his  name. 
Ps.  xxix.  2. 

S.   Q.  Must  we  worship  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  him  only 
shaltthou  serve.  Matt.  iv.  10. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  worship  him  with  inward  worship  ? 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  serve  him  with  our  spirits.  Rom.  i.  9. 

5.  Q.  Is  that  the  worship  he  requires  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  such  the  Father  seeks  to  worship  him.  John 
iv.  23. 

§T. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  remember  God? 

A.  Yes :  remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy 
youth.  Eccl.  xii.  I. 

2.  Q.  And  think  of  him  with  delight  1 

A.   Yes:  my  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet.  Ps.  civ.  34. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  adore  and  admire  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  who  is  like  unto  thee,  0  Lord,  among  th©  gods  ! 
Exod.  xv.  11. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  fear  him  above  all  1 

A.  Yes:  let  him  be  your  fear,  and  let  him  be  your  dread. 
Isa.  viii,  13. 

5.  Q.  And  reverence  him  1 


120  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  he  is  to  be  had  in  reverence  of  all  them  that  are 
about  him.  Ps.  lxxxix.  7. 

6,  Q.  Must  we  submit  to  his  word  1 

A.  Yes :  speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant  heareth.   1  Sam.  iii.  9. 

7.  Q.  And  submit  to  his  will  1 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  secmeth  him  good. 
1  Sam.  iii.  18. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  love  God,  above  all  ? 

A.  Yes :  O  love  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  saints.  Ps.  xxxi.  23. 

2.  Q.   Must  our  desire  be  towards  him  1 

A.  Yes:  so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God.  Ps.  xlii.  1. 

3.  Q.  Must  our  delight  be  in  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  delight  thyself  always  in  the  Lord.  Ps.  xxxvii.  4. 

4.  Q.  Must  our  dependence  be  upon  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  in  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  put  my  trust.  Ps.  xxxi.  1. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  live  a  life  of  communion  with  God? 

A.  Yes:  mine  eyes  are  ever  towards  the  Lord.  Ps.  xxv.  15. 

2.  Q.  And  a  life  of  complacency  in  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  rejoice  in  the  Lord  always.  Philipp.  iv.  4. 

3.  Q.  And  a  life  of  conformity  to  him? 

A.  Yes:  be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy.  1  Pet.i.  16. 

4.  Q.  And  a  life  of  confidence  in  him  1 

A.  Yes  :  commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord.  Ps.  xxxvii.  5. 

5.  Q.  And  a  life  of  regard  to  him  1 

A.  Yes :  in  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him.  Prov.  ii.  6. 

6.  Q.  Must  our  hearts  go  out  towards  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul.  Ps.  xxv.  1. 

7.  Q.  And  must  we  have  him  always  iu  our  eye? 

A.  Yes  :  I  have  set  the  Lord  always  before  me.  Ps.  xvi.  8. 

8.  Q.  And  must  we  walk  with  him,  in  the  whole  course  of 
our  conversation  ? 

A.  Yes  :  as  Enoch  walked  with  God.  Gen.  v.  24. 

9.  Q.  And  is  this  inward  worship,  the  life  of  religion  ? 

A.  Yes :  it  is  better  than  all  burnt-offerings  and  sacrifices. 
Mark  xii.  33. 

XI. VII.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  first 
commandment? 

A.  The  first  commandment  forbiddeth  the 
denying,  or  not  worshipping  and  glorifying  the 
true  God  as  God,  and  our  God  ;  and  the  giving 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  121 

of  that  worship  and  glory  to  any  other,  which 
is  due  to  him  alone. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  great  sin  to  deny  the  being  of  God  ? 

A    Yes :  the  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  there  is  no  God. 
Ps.  xiv.  1. 

2.  Q.  Or  to  deny  his  omniscience  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  say.  the  Lord  shall  not  see.  Ps.  xciv.  7. 

3.  Q.  Or  to  deny  his  justice  ? 

A.  Yes  :  He  hath  said  in  his  heart,  thou  wilt  not  require  it. 
Ps.  x.  13. 

4.  Q.  Or  his  holiness  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  thoughtest  that  I  was  altogether  such  a  one  as= 
thyself.  Ps.  1.  21. 

5.  Q.  Or  his  goodness? 

A.  Yes  :  I  knew  thee  to  be  a  hard  man.  Matt.  xxv.  24. 

6.  Q.  Or  his  faithfulness? 

A.  Yes  :  where  is  the  promise  of  his  coming  ?  2  Pet.  iii.  4. 

7.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  question  God's  providence  ? 

A.  Yes:  is  the  Lord  among  us]  or  is  he  not?  Exod.xvii.  7. 

8.  Q.  Or  to  question  his  power? 

A.  Yes:  can  God  furnish   a  table  in  the   wilderness?  Ps. 
lxxviii.  19. 

9.  Q.  And  is  there  such  a  thing  as  practical  Atheism  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  profess  that  they  know  God,  but  in  works  they 
deny  him.  Tit.  i.  16. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  great  sin  to  be  ignorant  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  some  have  not  the  knowledge  of  God  ;  I  speak  it 
to  your  shame.  1  Cor.  xv.  35. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  damning  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  shall  take  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not 
God.  2  Thess.  i.  8. 

3.  Q,  Is  it  the  cause  of  all  other  sins  ? 

A.  Yes  :  there  is  neither  truth  nor  mercy  nor  knowledge  of 
God  in  the  land.  Hos.  iv.  1. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  great  sin  to  forget  God  ? 

A.  Qes :  thou  hast  forgotten  the  God  that  formed  thee.  Deut, 
xxxii.  18. 

5.  Q.  And  to  cast  off  the  fear  of  him? 

A.  Yes  :  there  is  no  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes.  Ps.  xxxvi.  L 

6.  Q.  And  to  live  without  prayer  ? 

7 


122  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  thou  hast  not  called  upon  me,  O  Jacob.  Is.  xliii.  22. 
7.  Q.  And  not  to  glorify  him? 
'  A.  Yes :  the  God  in  whose  hand  thy  breath  is,  hast  thou  not 
glorified.  Dan.  v.  23. 

§iii. 

1.  Q.  Is  all  distrust  of  God  a  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  evil  heart  of  unbelief  departs   from  the  living 
God.  Heb.  iii.  12. 

2.  Q.  And  tempting  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  shalt  not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God.  Matt.  iv.7. 

3.  Q.  And  all  the  coldness  of  our  love  to  him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  but  their  heart  is  far  from  me.  Matt.  xv.  8. 

4.  Q.  Does  this  commandment  forbid  all  ungodliness  ? 

J.  Yes:  for  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  against  all  ungod- 
liness, Rom.  i.  18. 

5.  Q.  And  all  idolatry  ? 

A.  Yes  :  little  children,  keep  yourselves  from  idols.  1  John 
v.  21. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Had  the  Gentiles  other  gods  besides  the  true  God  ? 
A.  Yes  :  they  had  gods  many,  and  lords  many.  1  Cor.  viii,  5. 

2.  Q.  And  were  those  gods  devils  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  sacrificed  to  devils,  and  not  to  God.  1  Cor. 
X.  20. 

3.  Q.  May  we  have  communion  with  them? 

A.  No:  I  would  not  that  ye  should  have  fellowship  with 
devils.  1  Cor.  x.  20. 

4.  Q.  Have  those  fellowship  with  them  who  consult  with 
witches  1 

A.  Yes :  is  it  because  there  is  not  a  God  in  Israel,  that  thou 
goest  to  inquire  of  Baal-zebub,  the  god  of  Ekron  ?  2  Kings  i.  3. 

5.  Q.  Did  the  gentiles  multiply  their  Gods  ? 

A.  Yes :  according  to  the  number  of  thy  cities  are  thy  gods. 
Jer.  ii.  28. 

6.  Q.  Were  they  gods  of  their  own  making  ? 

A.  Yes :  and  they  that  made  them  are  like  unto  them.  Ps. 
cxv.  8. 

7.  Q,  Was  not  that  a  great  affront  to  the  living  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  changed  the  truth  of  God  into  a  lie.  Rom.  i.25. 

§r. 
1.    Q.  Is  there  not  such  a  thing  as  spiritual  idolatry? 
A.  Yes:  these  men  have  set  up  their  idols  in  their  hearts. 
Ezek.  xiv.  4. 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  123 

2.  Q.  Is  it  idolatry  to  make  a  god  of  our  appetites  ? 
A.  Yes  :  whose  god  is  their  belly.  Philipp.  iii.  19. 

3.  Q.  Or  a  god  of  our  money  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  covetousness  is  idolatry.  Col.  iii.  5. 

4.  Q.  May  we  give  that  respect  to  any  creature,  which  is 
due  to  God  alone  ? 

A.  No  :  for  his  glory,  he  will  not  give  to  another    Is.  xlii.  8. 

5.  Q.  Is  it,  therefore,  a  sin,  to  love  them  more  than  God  ? 
A.  Yes :  he  that  loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is 

not  worthy  of  me.  Matt.  x.  37. 

6.  Q.  And  to  trust  in  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  cursed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  man.  Jer.  xvii.  5. 

7.  Q.  Is  this  spiritual  adultery  1 

A.  Yes:  she  went  after  her  lovers,  and  forgot  me,  saith  the 
Lord.  Hos.  ii.  13. 

XL VIII.  Q.  What  are  we  specially  taught 
by  these  words  [before  me]  in  the  first  com- 
mandment ? 

Ji.  These   words  [before   me]   in   the   first 
commandment  teach   us,  that  God,  who  seeth 
all   things,  taketh  notice  of,  and  is  much  dis- 
pleased with,  the  sin  of  having  any  other  God. 
§i. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  always  in  God's  sight  1 

A.  Yes :  thou  knowest  my  down-sitting,  and  my  up-rising. 
Ps.  cxxxix.  2. 

2.  Q.  Are  all  our  actions  in  his  sight] 

A.  Yes  :  all  my  ways  are  before  thee.  Ps.  cxix.  168. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  take  notice  of  them  1 

A.  Yes:  He  pondereth  all  our  goings.  Prov.  v.  21. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  our  good  works  before  him ! 

A.  Yes  :  I  know  thy  work,  a*d  thy  labour,  and  thy  patience. 
Rev.  ii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  know  all  our  inward  worship  of  him'? 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  hearkened,  and  heard  those  that  thought 
on  his  name.  Mai.  iii.  16. 

3.  Q.  And  should  that  encourage  us  to  have  him  for  our 
Godl 

A.  Yes:  for  your  Father  sees  in  secret,  and  will  reward 
openly.  Matt.  vi.  4. 


124  SCRIPTURE  ^CATECHISM. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  all  our  evil  works  before  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  sets  our  iniquities  before  him.  Ps.  xc.  8. 

2.  Q.  Is  the  having  of  other  Gods  oftentimes  a  secret  sin  1 
A.  Yes:  they  do  it  in  the  dark,  and  say,  the  Lord   sees  u=* 

not.  Ezek.  viii.  12. 

3.  Q.  But  does  God  see  % 

A.  Yes :  He  that  formed  the  eye,  shall  he  not  see  it  ]  Ps. 
sciv.  9. 

4.  Q.  Does  he  take  notice  of  all  our  neglects  of  him  7 

A.  Yes :  if  we  have  forgotten  the  name  of  our  God,  he 
knows  it.  Ps.  xliv.  20,  21. 

5.  Q.  And  does  he  take  notice  of  all  our  inclinations  to  other 
gods  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  we  have  stretched  out  our  hands  to  a  strange  god, 
shall  not  God  search  this  out?  Ps.  xliv.  20,  21. 

6.  Q.  And  is  he  much  displeased  with  secret  idolatry  1 

A.  Yes :  scest  thou  the  great  abominations  that  they  com- 
mit 1  Ezek.  viii.  6. 

7.  Q.  And  should  this  oblige  us  to  be  faithful  to  him  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  Lord  searcheth  all  hearts.  1  Chron.  xxviii.  9. 

XI.IX.  Q.  Which  is  the  second  command- 
ment? 

J2.  The  second  commandment  is,  Thou  shall 
not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image,  or  any 
likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  Heaven  above, 
or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the 
water  under  the  earth.  Thou  shall  not  bow 
down  thyself  to  them,  nor  serve  them :  for  1 
the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting 
the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children 
unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them 
that  hate  me;  and  shewing  mercy  unto  thou- 
sands of  them  that  love  me,  and  keep  my  com- 
mandments. 

§i., 

1.  Q.  Does  the  second  commandment  concern  the  ordinances 
of  God's  worship,  as  the  first  object  of  it? 

A.  Yes:  therefore,  ye  shall  keep  mine  ordinance.  Lev. 
sviii.  30. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  125 

2.  Q.    Was  it  requisite  there  should  be  a  law  concerning 


mem 


A.  Yes  :  lest  ye  say,  how  did  these  nations  serve  their  gods? 
so  will  I  do  likewise.  Deut.  xii.  30. 

3.  Q.  I-  this  binding  to  us  now! 

A.  Yes:  dearly  beloved,  flee  -from  idolatry.  1  Cor.  x.  14. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  christians  forbidden  to  worship  images  1 

A.  Yes:  that  they  should  not  worship  idols  of  gold,  and 
silver,  and  brass,  and  stone.  Rev.  ix.  20. 
§  it. 

1.  Q.  Does  this  commandment  forbid  the  making  of  images 
for  a  religious  use  1 

A.  Yes :  cursed  be  the  man  that  maketh  any  graven  image. 
Deut.  xxvii.  15. 

2.  Q.  Does  it  forbid  the  making  an  image  of  what  is  in  Hea- 
ven above  1 

A.  Yes:  lest  thou  lift  up  thine  eyes  unto  Heaven,  and  when 
thou  seest  the  sun,  and  the  moon,  and  the  stars,  shouldst  be 
driven  to  worship  them.  Deut.  iv.  19. 

3.  Q.  Or  on  earth  beneath  ? 

A.  Yes :  as  they  changed  their  glory  into  the  similitude  of 
an  ox.  Ps.  cvi.  20. 

4.  Q,  Or  in  the  waters  under  the  earth  '? 

A.  Yes :  as  they  made  the  likeness  of  creeping  things.  Rom. 
i.  23. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Does  it  forbid  us  to  bow  down  to  them! 

A.  Yes  :  shall  I  bow  down  to  the  stock  of  a  tree?  Isa.  xliv. 
19. 

2.  Q.  Or  to  worship  them  1 

A.  Yes  :  thou  shalt  worship  no  other  God.  Exod.  xxxiv.  14. 

3.  Q.  Or  to  shew  any  respect  to  them  1 

A.  Yes :  I  will  take  away  the  names  of  Baalim  out  of  their 
mouth.  Hos.  ii.  1 7. 

4.  Q.  Was  it  requisite  this  commandment  should  be  thus 
enlarged  1 

A.  Yes :  precept  must  be  upon  precept,  and  line  upon  line. 
Isa.  xxviii.  10. 

5.  Q.  And  that  it  should  be  backed  with  many  reasons  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  they  are  mad  upon  their  idols.  Jer.  1.  38. 

L.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  second  com- 
mandment ? 


126  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

•#.  The  second  commandment  requirelh  the 

receiving,  observing,  and  keeping  pure  and  en- 
tire, all  such  religious  worship  and  ordinances 
as  God  hath  appointed  in  his  word. 
§r. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  solemnly  to  worship  God? 

A.  Yes:  thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy  God.  Matt.  iv.  10. 

2.  Q.   Do  we  thereby  honour  him? 

A.  Yes  :  we  give  unto  him  the  glory  due  unto  his  name.  Ps. 
xxix.  2. 

3.  Q.  Does  the  light  of  nature  teach  us  to  worship  God? 
A.  Yes  :  they  cried,  every  man,  unto  his  god.  Jonah  i.  5. 

4.  Q.  But,  does  it  teach  us,  sufficiently,  how  to  worship  him  1 
A,  No :  whom,  therefore,  ye  ignorantly  worship.  Acts  xvii. 

23. 

5.  Q.  Has  God,  in  his  word,  appointed  us,  in  what  way  to 
worship  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  this  was  ordained  in  Joseph,  for  a  testimony. 
Ps.  lxxxi.  5. 

6.  Q.  And  must  we  worship  him  in  the  appointed  way  ? 

A.  Yes :  see  thou  make  all  things  according  to  the  pattern 
showed  thee.  Heb.  viii.  5. 

§u. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  receive  such  ordinances  as  God  has  ap- 
pointed 1 

A .  Yes :  the  Lord  our  God  will  we  serve,  and  his  voice  will 
we  obey.  Josh.  xxiv.  24. 

2.  Q.  Should  we  labour  to  understand  them  1 

A.  Yes  :  what  mean  ye  by  this  service  1  Exod.  xii.  26. 

3.  Q.  And  are  we  to  observe  them  1 

A.  Yes :  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded 
you.  Matt,  xxviii.  20. 

4.  Q.  And  to  observe  them  duly  ? 

A>  Yes  :  as  the  duty  of  every  day  requires.  Ezra  iii.  4. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  keep  God's  ordinances  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  good  thing  which  was  committed  to  thee, keep. 
2  Tim.  i.  14. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  keep  them  carefully  1 

A.  Yes  :  keep  them  as  the  apple  of  thine  eye.  Prov.  vii.  2. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  keep  them  pure,  without  corruption  ? 
A .  Yea  :  add  thou  not  to  his  words.  Prov.  xxx.  6. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  127 

4.  Q.  And  entire,  without  diminution  1 

A.  Yes :  we  must  walk  in  all  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord. 
Luke  i.  6. 

5.  Q.  May  we  neither  add  nor  diminish  1 

A.  No :  thou  shalt  neither  add  thereto,  nor  diminish  from  it 
Deut.  xii.  32. 

§  iy. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  worship  God  in  the  spirit] 

A.  Yes :  we  are  the  circumcision  that  worship  God  in  the 
spirit.  Philipp.  iii.  3. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  be  inward  with  God,  in  every  service  7 
A.  Yes:  for  bodily  exercise  profiteth  little.  1  Tim.  iv.  8. 

3.  Q.  Is  ignorance  the  mother  of  devotion  1 

A.  No :  for  if  ye  offer  the  blind  for  sacrifice,  is  it  not  evil  ? 
Mai.  i.  8. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  mother  of  destruction  1 

A.  Yes :  My  people  are  destroyed  for  lack  of  knowledge. 
Hos.  iv,  6. 

§v, 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  to  have  an  eye  to  the  word  of  God,  in  our 
religious  worship  1 

A.  Yes  :  for,  whatsoever  is  not  of  faith,  is  sin.  Rom.  xiv.  23. 

2.  Q.  And  to  glorify  God  in  it? 

A.  Yes :  I  will  be  sanctified  in  them  that  come  nigh  unto 
me.  Lev.  x.  3. 

3.  Q.  And  ought  we  to  shun  all  idolatrous  worships  1 

A.  Yes :  for  I  would  not  that  ye  should  have  fellowship 
with  devils.  1  Cor.  x.  20. 

LI.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  second  com- 
mandment ? 

J2.  The  second  commandment  forbiddeth  the 
worshipping  of  God  by  images,  or  any  other 
way  not  appointed  in  his  word. 
.  **• 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  worship  the  true  God  by  images  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  it  changes  the  truth  of  God  into  a  lie.  Rom.  i.  25. 

2.  Q.  Are  not  images  laymen's  books  1 

A.  No:  for  an  image  is  a  teacher  of  lies.  Hab.  ii.  18. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  possible  to  make  an  image  of  God  1 

A.  No :  we  ought  not  to  think  that  the  God-head  is  like  unto 
gold,  or  silver,  or  stone,  graven  by  art  and  man's  device.  Acts 
xvii.  29. 


12S  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  Do  we  know  what  to  represent  God  by  ? 

A.  No  :  to  whom,  then,  will  ye  liken  God?  Isa.  xl.  18. 

5.  Q.  Do  they  that  pretend  to  it  put  a  great  affront  upon 
him  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  change  the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  God 
into  an  image  made  like  to  corruptible  man.  Rom.  i.  23. 
§  n. 

1 .  Q.  May  we  worship  Christ  by  an  image  ? 

A.  No :  for  though  we  have  known  Christ  after  the  flesh, 
yet  now  henceforth  know  we  him  no  more.  2  Cor.  v.  16. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  idolatry  to  worship  the  consecrated  host  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  bread  which  we  break.  I  Cor.  x.  16. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  idolatry  to  pray  to  saints  and  angels  > 

A.  Yes  :  see  thou  do  it  not,  but  worship  God.  Rev.  xix.  10, 
and  xxii.  9. 

§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Must  we  be  careful  to  avoid  all  appearances  of  idolatry  ? 
A.  Yes  :  take  ye,  therefore,  good  heed  to  yourselves,  lest  ye 

corrupt  yourselves.  Deut.  iv.  15,  16. 

2.  Q.  Should  we  choose  to  die  rather  than  worship  images  ? 
A.  Yes :  but  if  not,  be  it  known  unto  thee,  O  King,  we  will 

not  serve  thy  gods,  nor  worship  the  golden  image  which  thou 
hast  set  up.   Dan.  hi.  18. 

§iv. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  worship  God  in  any  way  not  appointed 
in  his  word  ? 

A.  Yes :  in  vain  do  they  worship  me,  teaching  for  doctrines, 
the  commandments  of  men.  Matt.  xv.  9. 

2.  Q.  May  we  ourselves  invent  ordinances  of  worship  ? 

A.  No  :  they  went  a  whoring  with  their  own  inventions.  Ps. 
cvi.  39. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  not  enough  if  what  we  invent  is  not  forbidden  1 
A .  No :  they  offered  a  strange  fire  before  the  Lord,  which 

he  commanded  them  not.  Lev.  x.  1. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  despise  any  of  God's  ordinances  ? 

A.  Yes :  ye  said  also,  behold  what  a  weariness  is  it !  Mai. 
i.  13. 

5.  Q.  Or  to  be  careless  in  our  attendance  upon  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  cursed  be  the  deceiver  that  hath  in  his  flock  a  male, 
and  vows  and  sacrifices  to  the  Lord  a  corrupt  thing.  Mai.  i.  14. 

6.  Q.  Are  they  spiritual  idolaters  who  make  images  of  God 
in  their  fancy  1 

A.  Yes:  they  are  vain  in  their  imaginations,  and  their  fool 
ish  heart  is  darkened.  Rom.  i.  21. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  129 

LII.  Q.  What  are  the  reasons  annexed  to  the 
second  commandment  ? 

A.  The  reasons  annexed  to  the  second  com- 
mandment are,  God's  sovereignty  over  us,  his 
propriety  ill  us.  and  the  zeal  he  hath  to  his  own 
worship. 

§  i. 

1.  Q.  Is  there  good  reason  why  we  should  take  heed  of 
idolatry  ] 

A.  Yes :  turn  ye  not  to  idols,  neither  make  to  yourselves 
molten  gods,  I  am  the  Lord  your  God.  Lev.  xix.  4. 

2.  Q.  Has  God  a  sovereignty  over  us] 

A.  Yes:  for  he  is  a  great  God,  and  a  great  King  above  all 
gods.  Ps.  xcv.  3. 

3.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  worship  him,  as  he  has  ap- 
pointed us  1 

A.  Yes  :  0  come,  let  us  worship,  and  bow  down,  and  knee! 
before  the  Lord  our  Maker.  Ps.  xcv.  6. 

4.  Q.  And  not  to  worship  idols  1 

A.  Yes:  for  they   can  do  neither  good  nor  evil.  Isa.  xli.  23. 

§ii. 

1.  Q.  Has  God  a  propriety  in  us? 

A.  Yes:  for  we  are  the  people  of  his  pasture.  Ps.  xcv.  7. 

2.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  worship  him  1 

A.  Yes :  He  is  thy  Lord,  and  worship  thouhirn.  Ps.  xlv.  11. 

3.  Q.  And  not  to  worship  other  gods  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  hath  a  nation  changed  their  gods?  Jer.  ii.  11. 
§iii. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  jealous  in  the  matters  of  his  worship  1 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord,  whose  name  is  Jealous,  is  a  jealous  God. 
Exod.  xxxiv.  14. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  much  displeased  with  those  who  corrupt  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  provoked  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  to  anger  with 
their  vanities.  1  Kings  xvi.  13. 

3.  Q.  Do  those  who  do  so  hate  him? 

A.  Yes  :  idolaters  are  haters  of  God.  Rom.  i.  25,  30. 

4.  Q.  Will  he  visit  their  iniquity  ? 

A.  Yes  :  in  the  day  when  I  visit,  I  will  visit  their  sin  upon 
them.  Exod.  xxxii.  34. 

5.  Q.  Will  he  visit  it  upon  the  children  1 

A,  Yes :  our  Fathers  sinned,  and  are  nots  and  we  have  borne 
their  iniquities.  Lam.  v.  7. 


30 


SCRIPTURE   CATTCHISM. 


6.  Q.  And  is  it  just  with  him  to  do  so  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  they  are  the  children  of  whoredoms.  Hos.  ii.  2. 

7.  Q.  But  will  he  visit  it  for  ever? 

A.  No :  but  to  the  third  and  fourth  generation.  Exod. 
xxxiv.  7. 

§  IV. 

1 .  Q.  Will  those  who  love  God  keep  his  commandments  ? 
A.  Yes  :  if  ye  keep  my  commandments,  ye  shall  abide  in  my 

love.  John  xv.  10. 

2.  Q.  Will  he  shew  mercy  to  such? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  hath  said,  I  love  them  that  love  me.  Prov. 
viii.  17. 

3.  Q.  Will  he  shew  mercy  to  thousands  of  such  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting.  Ps.  ciii.  17. 

LIII.   Q.  Which  is  the  third  commandment? 

A.  The  third  commandment  is,  thou  shalt 
not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain: 
for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that 
taketh  his  name  in  vain. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  third  commandment  concern  the  manner  of 
our  worshipping  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  we  serve  the  Lord  with  fear.  Ps.  ii.  11. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  enough,  that  we  seek  God  in  a  due  ordinance  ? 
A.  No :  but  we  must  seek  him  after  the  due  order.  1  Chron. 

xv.  13. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  God's  name  all  that  whereby  he  makes  himself 
known  ? 

A.  Yes :  He  proclaimed  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Exod.  xxxiv  5. 

2.  Q.  Ought  we  to  make  use  of  his  name  ? 

A.  Yes :  by  thee  only  will  we  make  mention  of  thy  name. 
Isa.  xxvi.  13. 

3.  Q.  And  to  take  heed  of  abusing  it? 

A.  Yes:  neither  shalt  thou  profane  the  name  of  thy  God. 
I  am  the  Lord.  Lev.  xviii.  21. 

LIV.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  third  com- 
mandment ? 
*#.  The  third  commandment  requireth  the 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  131 

holy  and  reverend  use  of  God's  names,  titles, 
attributes,  ordinances,  word,  and  works. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Does  this  commandment  require  us  to    glorify    the 
name  of  God] 

A.  Yes :  they  shall  worship  before  thee,  0  Lord,  and  shall 
glorify  thy  name.  Ps.  lxxxvi.  9. 

2.  Q-  Are  we  to  think  of  God's  name,  with  seriousness  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  feared  the  Lord,  and  thought  upon  his  name. 
Mai.  iii.  16. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  speak  of  it  with  reverence  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  God  is  in  Heaven,  and  thou  upon  earth,  there- 
fore let  thy  words  be  few.  Eccl.  v.  2. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  call  upon  his  name  with  a  holy  awe  1 

A.  Yes :  for  we  that  are  but  dust  and  ashes  speak  to  the  Lord 
of  glory.  Gen.  xviii.  27. 

5.  Q.  Are  we  to  worship  God  reverently,  in  every  religious 
duty? 

A.  Yes:  we  must  serve  him  acceptably,  with  reverence  and 
godly  fear.  Heb.  xii.  28. 

6.  Q.  And  is  there  good  reason  for  it  1 

A.  Yes :  for  our  God  is  a  consuming  fire.  Heb.  xii.  29. 

7.  Q.  Ought  we  to  behave  ourselves  very  reverently  in  pub- 
lic worship  ] 

A.  Yes:  for  God  is  greatly  to  be  feared  in  the  assembly  of 
his  saints,  and  to  be  had  in  reverence  of  all  them  that  are  about 
him.  Ps.  lxxxix.  7. 

§  n. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  be  holy,  in  worshipping  God? 

A.  Yes:  worship  the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness.  Ps. 
xcvi.  9. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  be  holy,  in  prayer  and  praise  ? 
A.  Yes :  lifting  up  holy  hands.  1  Tim.  ii.  8. 

3.  Q.  Must  our  thoughts  be  fixed  ? 

A.  Yes:  0  God,  my  heart  is  fixed.  Ps.  cviii.  1. 

4.  Q.  Must  pious  and  devout  affections  be  working  in  us  1 
A.  Yes:  we  must  be  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  Rom. 

xii.  11. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  be  very  humble  in  our  approaches  to  God  ? 
A.  Yes  :  as  the  publican  that  stood  afar  off,  and  would  not 

so  much  as  lift  up  his  eyes  to  Heaven.  Luke  xviii.  13. 
§  in. 
1 .   Q.  Must  we  give  glory  to  God,  in  his  word  ] 


132  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for  thou  hast  magnified  thy  word  above  all  thy 
name.  Ps.  cxxxviii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  hear  it  with  reverence  ? 

A .  Yes :  we  are  all  here  present  before  God  to  hear  all  things 
that  are  commanded  thee  of  God.  Acts  x.  33. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  give  glory  to  God,  in  swearing,  when  we  are 
called  to  it  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  shalt  fear  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  shalt  swear 
by  his,  name.  Deut.  vi.  1 3. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  be  cautious  in  swearing? 
A.  Yes :  we  must  fear  an  oath.  Eccl.  ix.  2. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  be  conscientious  in  swearing  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  swear  in  truth,  in  judgment,  and  in  right- 
eousness. Jer.  iv.  2. 

6.  Q.  Must  we  give  glory  to  God  in  vowing? 

A.  Yes:  vow  and  pay  unto  the  Lord  your  God.  Ps.lxxvi.ll. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Must  me  glorify  God,  in  his  great  works  1 

A.  Yes:  we  must  magnify  his  works  which  men  behold. 
Job.  xxxvi.  24. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  glorify  him,  by  our  good  works  ? 

A.  Yes  :  let  every  one  that  names  the  name  of  Christ  depart 
from  iniquity.  2  Tim.  ii.  19. 

LV.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  third  com- 
mandment ? 

A.  The  third  commandment  forbiddeth  ail 
profaning  or  abusing  of  any  thing  whereby 
God  maketh  himself  known. 

§i. 

1 .  Q.  Do  all  hypocrites  take  God's  name  in  vain  ? 

.  1.  Yes  :  for  they  make  mention  of  the  God  of  Israel,  but  not 
in  truth  and  righteousness,  Isa.  xlviii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Do  they,  therefore  profane  that  name  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  name  of  God  is  blasphemed  through  them. 
Rom.  ii.  24. 

3.  Q.  Do  hypocritical  worshippers  take  God's  name  in  vain  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  with  their  mouth  they  shew  much  love,  but 

their  heart  goeth  after  their  eovetousness.  Ezek.  xxxiii.  31. 

4.  Q.  And  is  their  seeming  religion  a  vain  religion  1 
A.  Yes  :  that  man's  religion  is  vain.  James,  i.  26. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  133 

5.  Q.  Can  it  be  pleasing  to  God  ? 

A.  No  :  bring  no  more  vain  oblations.  Isa.  i.  13. 

6.  Q.  Can  it  be  profitable  to  themselves  ? 

A,  No :  for  they  receive  the  grace  of  God  in  vain.  2  Cor. 

V).  1. 

7.  Q.  Do  covenant  breakers  take  God's  name  in  vain  ] 

A,  Yes :    for  they  lie    unto  him    with  their   tongues.    Ps. 
Ixxviii.  36. 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  against  this  commandment,  to  use  the  name 
of  God  lightly  and  carelessly  1 

A.  Yes:  for  thou  shalt  fear  this  glorious  and  fearful  name, 
the  Lord  thy  God.  Deut.  xxviii.  58. 

2.  Q,  Will  God's  friends  thus  aflront  him  ? 

.  1.  No  :  thine  enemies  take  thy  name  in  vain.  Ps.  cxxix.  20. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  the  character  of  the  wicked  > 

Jl.  Yes  :  thou  art  near  in  their  mouth,  and  far  from  their 
reins.  Jer.  xii.  2. 

§  in. 

1 .  Q,  Is  it  a  sin  against  this  comandment,  to  swear  rashly  ? 
A.  Yes :  above  all  things,  my    brethren,  swear  not.  James 

v.  12. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  swear  by  creatures? 

A.  Yes :  whether  by  Heaven,  or  by  earth,  or  by  the  head. 
Matt.  v.  34—36. 

3.  Q.  Must  our  communication  be  yea,  yea,  and  nay,  nay  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  whatsoever  is  more  than  these  cometh  of  evil. 

Matt.  v.  37. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  swear  falsely  ? 

A .  Yes  :  thou  shalt  not  forswear  thyself.  Matt.  v.  33. 

5.  Q.  Is  profane  swearing  a  great  sin  ? 

A .  Yes  :  for  it  blasphemes  that  worthy  name  by  which  we 
are  called.  James  ii.  7. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  an  inexcusable  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  they  transgress  without  cause.  Ps.  xxv.  3. 

7.  Q.  Does  it  bring  judgments  upon  families  ] 

.4.  Yes  :  for  the  curse  shall  enter  into  the  house  of  him  that 
swears  falsely,  and  shall  consume  it.  Zech.  v.  4, 

8.  Q-  And  upon  nations  ] 

A.  Yes  :  because  of  swearing  the  land  mourns.  Jer.  xxiii.  10. 

§  JV. 
1.   Q.  Is  it  a  sin  against  this  commandment,  to  jest  with  the 
word  of  God  ] 


134  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes  :  be  ye  not  mockers,  lest  your  hands  be  made  strong. 
Isa.  xxviii.  22. 

2.  Q.  Or  to  use  it  as  a  charm  1 

A.  Yes :  as  those  exorcists  which  said,  we  adjure  you  by 
Jesus,  whom  Paul  preacheth.  Acts  xix.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  put  a  slight  upon  sacred  things  ? 

A.  Yes:  ye  have  profaned  my  name,  in  that  ye  say,  The 
table  of  the  Lord  is  contemptible.  Mai.  i.  12. 

LVI.  Q.  What  is  the  reason  annexed  to  the 
third  commandment? 

J].  The  reason  annexed  to  the  third  com- 
mandment is,  that  however  the  breakers  of  this 
commandment  may  escape  punishment  from  men, 
yet  the  Lord  our  God  will  not  suffer  them  to  es- 
cape his  righteous  judgment. 

1.  Q.  Do  the  breakers  of  the  third  commandment  common- 
ly escape  punishment  from  men  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  men  hear  the  voice  of  swearing  and  utter  it  not. 
Lev.  v.  1. 

2.  Q.  And  do  they  fancy  they  shall  escape  God's  judgments  ? 
A.  Yes:  the  wicked  condemn  God,  and  yet  say  in  their  heart, 

he  will  not  require  it.  Ps.  x.  13. 

3.  Q.  But  shall  they  escape  God's  judgments? 

A.  No :  be  not  deceived,  God  is  not  mocked.  Gal.  vi.  7. 

§n. 

1 .  Q.  Shall  those  who  profane  God's  holy  name  escape  his 
righteous  judgments] 

A.  No:  the  Lord  will  make  their  plagues  wonderful.  Deut. 
xxviii.  59. 

2.  Q.  Shall  hypocrites  escape  them  ? 

A.  No:  woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  pharisees,  hypocrites. 
Matt,  xxiii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Shall  scoffers  escape  them  1 

A.  No :  for  they  shall  be  broken,  and  snared  and  taken.  Isa. 
xxviii.  13. 

4.  Q.  Shall  covenant-breakers  escape  them  ? 

A.  No  :  seeing  he  despised  the  oath,  by  breaking  the  cove- 
nant, he  shall  not  escape.  Ezek.  xvii.  18. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  135 

§  III. 

1.  Q.  Shall  swearers  go  unpunished  1 

A.  No  :  for  he  that  sweareth  shall  be  cut  off.  Zech.  v.  3. 

2.  Q-  Shall  they  who  use  God's  name  vainly  go  unpunished  1 
A.  No  :  for  every  idle  word  that  men  speak,  they  must  give 

account.  Matt.  xii.  36. 

3.  Q.  And  shall  their  words  be  witnesses  against  them  1 

A.  Yes :  God  shall  cause  their  own  tongues  to  fall  upon  them. 
Ps.  lxiv.  8. 

LVII.    Q.   Which  is   the  fourth  command- 
ment ? 

A.  The  fourth  commandment  is,  Remember 
the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  clays 
shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work,  but  the 
seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy 
God :  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work  ;  thou, 
nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  man- 
servant, nor  thy  maid-servant,  nor  thy  cattle, 
nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates. 
For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  Heaven  and 
Earth,  the  Sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  and 
rested  the  seventh  day :  wherefore  the  Lord 
blessed  the  Sabbath  day  and  hallowed  it. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  fourth  commandment  concern  the  time  of 
worship  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  there  is  a  time  to  every  purpose.  Eccl.  iii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Must  our  worship  be  confined  to  that  time  1 
A.  No  :  for  we  must  pray  always,  Ephes.  vi.  18. 

3.  Q.  But  is  that  appointed  for  the  certain  time  ? 

A.  Yes :  blow  up  the  trumpet  in  the  time  appointed.   Ps. 
Ixxxi.  3. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  will  of  God  we  should  take  special  notice  of 
this  command  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  has  said  remember  it. 

5.  Q.  Are  we  apt  to  forget  it  1 

A.  Yes :  they  have  hid  their  eyes  from  my  sabbaths.  Ezek. 
xxii.  26. 


136  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day  ? 

A.  Yes:  keep  the  Sabbath  day,  to  sanctify  it.  Deut.  v.  12. 

2.  Q.  Is  a  Sabbath  a  day  of  rest  ? 

A.  Yes:  it  shall  be  a  Sabbath  of  rest  unto  you.  Lev.xvi.  31. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  labour  the  six  days,  and  do  all  our  work  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  in  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread. 

Gen.  iii.  19. 

4.  Q.  But  is  not  work  for  God  part  of  our  work  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  must  work  the  works  of  God.  John  vi.  28. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  not,  then,  do  that  on  the  six  days'? 
A.  Yes:  every  day  will  I  bless  thee.  Ps.  cxlv.  2. 

6.  Q.  But  must  we  especially  do  it  on  Sabbath  days  1 
A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  the  holy  of  the  Lord.  Isa.  lviii.  13. 

7.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  rest,  from  other  work,  on  that  day  ? 
A.  Yes  :  that  we  may  attend  upon  the  Lord  without  distrac- 
tion. 1  Cor.  vii.  35. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  children  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day  1 
A.  Yes  :  thou,  and  thy  son,  and  thy  daughter. 

2.  Q.  And  servants  1 

A.  Yes :  that  thy  man  servant  and  maid  servant  may  rest 
as  well  as  thou.  Deut.  v.  14. 

3.  Q.  And  is  there  good  reason  for  the  sanctification  of  the 
Sabbath  ] 

A.  Yes :  ye  shall  keep  my  Sabbaths,  I  am  the  Lord  your 
God.  Lev.  xix.  3. 

LVIII.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  fourth 
commandment  ? 

Ji.  The  fourth  commandment  requireth  the 
keeping  holy  to  God  such  set  times  as  he  hath 
appointed  in  his  word ;  expressly  one  whole 
day  in  seven,  to  be  a  holy  Sabbath  to  himself. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Must  holy  time  be  kept  holy  1 

A.  Yes:  for  every  thing  is  beautiful  in  its  season.  Eccl.  iii.  II. 

2.  Q.  Can  man  make  time  holy  1 

J.  No  :  for  I  am  the  Lord  which  sanctify  you.  Lev.  xx.  8. 

§ir. 
1 .  Q.  Has  God  appointed  a  Sabbath  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  137 

A.  Yes :  it  is  as  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  commanded  thee. 
Deut.v.12. 

2.  Q.  Had  he  authority  to  do  so  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  day  is  thine,  the  night  also  is  thine.  Ps, 
lxxiv.  16. 

3.  Q.  Did  he  appoint  it  for  us  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  Sabbath  was  made  for  man.  Mark  ii.  27. 

4.  Q.  Did  he  appoint  one  day  in  seven  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  a  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy 
God. 

5.  Q.  One  whole  day  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  evening  and  the  morning  were  the  first  day. 
Gen.  i.  5. 

§  in. 

1.  Q  Must  we  keep  it? 

A.  Yes :  verily  my  Sabbaths  ye  shall  keep.  Exod.  xxxi.  13. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  keep  it  as  a  treasure  ] 

A.  Yes:  we  must  call  the  Sabbath  honourable.  Isa.  lviii.  13. 

3.  Q.  And  keep  it  as  a  talent  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  thou  madest  known  unto  them  thy  holy  Sab- 
baths. Neh.  ix.  14. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  keep  it  with  care  1 

A.  Yes :  we  must  lay  hold  on  it  to  keep  the  Sabbath  from 
polluting  it.  Isa.  lvi.  2. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  keep  it  holy  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  that  regardeth  the  day,  regardeth  it  to  the 
Lord.  Rom.  xiv.  6. 

LIX.  Q.  Which  day  of  the  seven  hath  God 
appointed  to  be  the  weekly  Sabbath  ? 

A.  From  the  beginning  of  the  world  to  the 
resurrection  of  Christ,  God  appointed  the  seventh 
day  of  the  week  to  be  the  weekly  Sabbath ;  and 
the  first  day  of  the  week  ever  since,  to  continue 
to  the  end  of  the  world,  which  is  the  Christian 
Sabbath. 

§T. 

1.  Q.  Was  the  Sabbath  appointed  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world  > 

A.  Yes  :  God  blessed  the  seventh  day  and  sanctified  it,  when 
the  heavens  and  the  earth  were  finished.  Gen.  ii.  1 — 3. 

.      7* 


138  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

2.   Q.  Was  it  in  remembrance  of  the  work  of  creation  ? 

A.  Yes:  because  that  in  it  he  rested  from  all  his  work. 
Gen.  ii.  2. 

8.  Q.  Was  it  observed,  before  the  giving  of  the  law,  upon 
.ount  Sinai  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  before  that,  it  was  said,  To-morrow  is  the  rest 
of  the  holy  Sabbath  to  the  Lord.  Exod.  xvi.  23. 

4.  Q.  Was  that  appointed  to  be  kept  on  the  seveth  day  of 
the  week  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  spake  of  the  seventh  day  on  this  wise.  Heb. 
iv.  4, 

1 .  Q.  Was  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  given  more  particularly  to 
Israel  1 

A.  Yes :  I  gave  them  my  Sabbath  to  be  a  sign  between  me 
and  them.  Ezek.  xx.  12. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  religiously  observed  among  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  their  enemies  did  mock  at  their  Sabbaths. 
Lam.  i.  7. 

3.  Q.  Did  they  sanctify  the  Sabbath,  in  solemn  assemblies  ? 
A.  Yes  :  Moses  of  old  time  is  read  in  the  synagogues  every 

Sabbath  day.  Acts  xv.  21. 

4.  Q.  Was  the  blessing  confined  to  the  seventh  day? 

A.  No:  for  the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day  and  hallowed 
it.  Exod.  xx.  11. 

§  in 

1 .  Q.  Was  the  Sabbath  to  continue  in  gospel  times  1 

A.  Yes :  for  there  remaineth  the  keeping  of  a  Sabbath  to  the 
people  of  God.  Heb.  iv.  9.  (marg.) 

2.  Q.  Did  Christ  intend  it  should  continue  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  said,  pray  that  your  flight  be  not  on  the  Sab- 
bath day.  Matt.  xxiv.  20. 

3.  Q.  Did  he,  in  order  to  that,  expound  the  fourth  com- 
mandment 1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  shewed,  that  it  is  lawful  to  do  well  upon  the 
Sabbath  day.  Matt.  xii.  12. 

4.  Q.  Is  there  the  same  need  of  Sabbaths  now  that  ever 
there  was  1 

A.  Yes :  for  I  gave  them  my  Sabbaths,  that  they  might  know 
that  I  am  the  Lord.  Ezek.  xx.  12. 
§  IT. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  Sabbath  changed,  now,  to  the  first  day  of  the 
week? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  139 

A.  Yes  :  for  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  the  disciples  came 
together  to  break  bread.  Acts  xx.  7. 

2.  Q.  Was  it  because,  on  that  day  of  the  week,  our  Lord 
Jesus  rose  from  the  dead  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  rose  as  it  began  to  dawn  towards  the  first 
day  of  the  week.  Matt,  xxviii.  1. 

3.  Q.  And  because  on  that  day,  the  Spirit  was  poured  out  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  that  was  when  the  day  of  Pentecost  was  fully 

come.  Acts  ii.  1. 

4.  Q.  Was  it  fit  there  should  be  an  alteration  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  shall  no  more  be  said,  the  Lord  liveth  that 
brought  up  the  children  of  Israel  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt ;  but 
the  Lord  liveth  that  brought  them  up  from  the  land  of  the  North. 
Jer.  xvi.  14,  15. 

§v. 

1 .  Q.  Did  the  Apostles  observe  the  first  day  of  the  week  1 
A.  Yes  :  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  let  every  one  lay  by. 

1  Cor.  xvi.  2. 

2.  Q.  Did  the  primitive  church  call  it  the  Lord's  day  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day.  Rev.  i.  10. 

3.  Q.  In  a  thing  of  this  nature,  ought  we  to  acquiesce  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  if  any  man  will  be  contentious,  we  have  no 
such  custom,  neither  the  churches  of  God.  1  Cor.  xi.  16. 

LX.   Q.  How  is  the  Sabbath  to  be  sanctified  ? 

•d.  The  Sabbath  is  to  be  sanctified  by  a  holy 
resting  all  that  day,  even  from  such  worldly 
employments  and  recreations  as  are  lawful  on 
other  days  ;  and  spending  the  whole  time  in  the 
public  and  private  exercises  of  God's  worship, 
except  so  much  as  is  to  be  taken  up  in  the  works 
of  necessity  and  mercy. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  rest  on  the  Sabbath  day  1 

A.  Yes:  six  days  may  work  be  done,  but  in  the  seventh  is 
the  Sabbath  of  rest.  Exod.  xxxi.  15. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  rest  from  worldly  employments  ? 

A.  Yes:  ye  shall  hallow  the  Sabhath  day,  to  do  no  work 
therein.  Jer.  xvii.  24. 

3.  Q.  And  from  recreations  1 

A.  Yes:  not  finding  thine  own  pleasure.  Isa.  Iviii.  13. 


140  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  Is  this  to  signify  our  being  dead  to  this  world? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  that  is  entered  into  his  rest  has  ceased  from 
his  own  works.  Heb.  iv.  10. 

5.  Q.  And  to  awaken  us  to  think  of  leaving  if? 

A.  Yes :  for  here  we  have  no  continuing  city.  Heb.  xiii.  14. 

6.  Q.  Must  this  rest  be  dedicated  to  God  ] 

A.  Yes :  It  is  a  holy  day,  a  Sabbath  of  rest  to  the  Lord. 
Exod.  xxxv.  2. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  spend  time,  on  that  day  in  the  public  exer- 
cises of  God's  worship  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  a  holy  convocation.  Lev.  xxiii.  3. 

2.  Q .  Must  we  do  so,  every  Sabbath,  as  we  have  opportunity  ] 
A.  Yes :  from  one  Sabbath  to  another  shall  all  flesh  come  to 

worship  before  me,  saith  the  Lord.  Isa.  lxvi.  23. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  not  absent  ourselves  from  public  worship ! 
A.  No :  not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  yourselves  together. 

Heb.  x.  25. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  spend  time,  on  that  day  in  the  private  exer- 
cises of  religion  1 

A.  Yes:  it  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord,  in  all  your  dwellings. 
Lev.  xxiii.  3. 

5.  Q.  Did  the  disciples  of  Christ  thus  spend  the  first  Lord's 
day1? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  the  disciples  were 
assembled.  John  xx.  19. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  prepare  for  the  Sabbath  day  beforehand? 

A.  Yes :  it  was  the  preparation,  and  the  Sabbath  drew  on. 
Luke  xxiii.  54. 

2.  Q.  Must  the  Sabbath  be  a  day  of  holy  joy  1 

A.  Yes  :  we  will  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it.  Ps.  cxviii.  24. 

3.  Q.  Must  it  be  a  day  of  praise  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  Psalm  for  the  Sabbath  day  begins,  "  It  is  a  good 
thing  to  give  thanks  to  the  Lord."  Ps.  xcii.  1. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  be  spiritual  in  the  duties  of  the  day  1 

A.  Yes:  I  was  in  the  spirit  on  the  Lord's  day.  Rev.  i.  10. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  take  pleasure  in  them  '] 

A.  Yes:  call  the  Sabbath  a  delight.  Isa.  Iviii.  13. 

§    IV. 

1.  Q.  Are  works  of  mercy  and  charity  proper  for  a  Sabbath 
day? 

A.  Yes  :  ought  not  this  woman  to  be  loosed  from  this  bond 
on  the  Sabbath  day]  Luke  xiii.  16. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  141 

2.   Q.  And  may  works  of  necessity  be  done  on  that  day  ? 
A.  Yes:  do  not  you,  on  the  Sabbath,  lead  your  ox,  or  your 
ass  to  watering  1  Luke  xiii.  13. 

LXI.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  fourth  com- 
mandment ? 

A.  The  fourth  commandment  forbiddeth  the 
omission,  or  careless  performance,  of  the  duties 
required ;  and  the  profaning  the  day,  by  idleness, 
or  doing  that  which  is  in  itself  sinful,  or  by  un- 
necessary thoughts,  words  or  works,  about  our 
worldly  employments  or  recreations. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Do  we  profane  the  Sabbath  if  we  neglect  the  Sabbath 
work  > 

A.  Yes:  I  came  seeking  fruit,  but  find  none.  Luke  xiii.  7. 

2.  Q.  Or  if  we  perform  carelessly  ? 

A.  Yes :  ye  brought  that  which  was  torn,  and  the  lame,  and 
the  sick.  Mai.  i.  13. 

3.  Q.  Or  if  we  be  weary  of  it ? 

A.  Yes :  they  say,  when  will  the  Sabbath  be  gone  ?  Amos 
viii.  5. 

4.  Q.  Or  if  we  idle  away  Sabbath  time? 

A.  Yes;  why  stand  ye  here  all  the  day  idle?  Matt.  xx.  6. 

5.  Q.  And  much  more  if  we  do  that  which  is,  in  itself, 
sinful  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  have  defiled  my  sanctuary  in  the  same  day, 
and  have  profaned  my  Sabbaths.  Ezek.  xxiii.  38. 

1 .  Q.  Do  we  profane  the  Sabbath  by  violating  the  Sabbath 
rest? 

A.  Yes  :   What  evil  thing  is  this  that  ye  do,  and  profane  the 
Sabbath  day  t  Neh.  xiii.  1 7. 

2.  Q.  May  we  not  buy  and  sell,  on  that  day  > 

A.  No :  make  not  my  father's  house,  a  house  of  merchan- 
dize. John  ii.  16. 

3.  Q.  May  we  not  work  harvest  work  on  that  day  ? 

A.  No  :  in  earing  time,  and  in  harvest,  thou  shalt  rest.  Exod. 
xxxiv.  21. 

4.  Q.  May  we  not,  however,  think,  and  speak  at  our  pleas- 
ure, on  that  day  ? 


142  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No  :  not  doing  thine  own  ways,  nor  speaking  thine  own 
words.  Isa.  lviii.  13. 

fin. 

1.  Q.  Was  he  punished,  that  gathered  sticks,  on  the  Sab- 
bath ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  stoned  him  with  stones,  that  he  died.  Numb. 
xv.  36. 

2.  Q.  Are  nations,  sometimes  punished,  for  Sabbath  pro. 
fanation  1 

A.  Yes:  if  ye  will  not  hallow  the  Sabbath  day,  I  will  kin- 
dle a  fire  in  the  gates  of  Jerusalem.  Jer.  xvii.  27. 

3.  Q.  Is  ihe  contempt  of  the  Sabbath,  a  contempt  of  God  1 
A.  Yes:  this  man  is  not  of  God,  because  ne  keeepeth  not 

the  Sabbath  day.  John  ix.  16. 

LX1I.  Q.  What  are  the  reasons  annexed  to 
the  fourth  commandment  ? 

A.  The  reasons  annexed  to  the  fourth  com- 
mandment are,  God's  allowing  us  six  days  of 
the  week  for  our  own  employments,  his  challeng- 
ing a  special  propriety  in  the  seventh,  his  own 
example,  and  his  blessing  the  Sabbath  day. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Has  God  allowed  us  six  days  of  the  week  ? 

A.  Yes :  six  days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work, 
Exod.  xx.  9. 

2.  Q.  Has  he  reserved  but  one  day  in  seven  for  himself] 
A.  Yes  :  for  he  hath  not  made  us  to  serve  with  an  offering, 

nor  wearied  us  with  increase.  Isa.  xliii.  23. 

3.  Q.  Does  he  claim  a  special  property  in  the  seventh  day  ? 
A.  Yes :  it  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy   God.  Exod. 

xx.  10. 

4.  Q.  Has  our  Lord  Jesus  a  property  in  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  Son  of  man  is  Lord  also  of  the  Sabbath. 
Mark  ii.  28. 

5.  Q.  Ought  we  not,  therefore,  to  devote  it  to  his  service  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for,  will  a  man  rob  God  1  Mai.  hi.  8. 

§ir. 

1.  Q.  Did  God,  the  Creator,  set  us  an  example  of  Sabbath 
rest? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  seventh  day  he  rested  and  was  refreshed. 
Exod,  xxxi,  17, 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  143 

2.  Q.  Did  God,  the  Redeemer,  set  us  an  example  of  Sabbath 
work  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  as  his  custom  was,  he  went  into  the  synagogue 
on  the  Sabbath  day.  Luke  iv.  16. 

3.  Q.  And,  has  he  given  us  encouragement  in  the  work  of 
the  christian  Sabbath  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  when   they  were  assembled  on  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  Jesus  stood  in  the  midst.  John  xx.  19. 
§iii 

1.  Q.  Has  God  blessed  the  Sabbath  day,  and  so  put  au  hon- 
our upon  it  1 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it. 
Exod.  xx.  11. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  not  an  ill  thing,  then,  for  us,  to  put  a  slight 
upon  it  7 

A.  Yes:  as  they  do  that  despise  the  holy  things,  and  profane 
the  Sabbath.  Ezek  xxii.  8. 

3.  Q.  Has  God  appointed  it  to  be  a  day  of  blessing  to  us  ? 
A.  Yes  :  there  will  I  come  to  thee,  and  will  bless  thee.  Exod. 

xx.  24. 

4.  Q.  Are  not  they  enemies  to  themselves  then  that  ne- 
glect it  1 

A.  Yes:  they  forsake  their  own  mercy.  Jonah  ii.  8. 

LXIII.   Q.  Which  is  the  fifth  commandment  ? 

«/?.  The  fifth  commandment  is,  Honour  thy 
father  and  thy  mother  ;  that  thy  days  may  be 
long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
glveth  thee. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Do  the  six  last  commandments  concern  our  duty  to 
our  neighbour? 

A.  Yes:  for,  this  is  his  commandment,  that  we  love  one 
another.   I  John  ni.  23. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  mind  that  as  well  as  our  duty  to  God  ? 
A.  Yes:  providing  for  honest  things,  not  only  in  the  sight  of 

the  Lord,  but  in  the  6ight  of  men.  2  Cor.  viii.  21. 

2.  Q.  And  are  we  concerned  to  be  very  careful  in  the  second 
table  duties? 

A.  Yes:  that  the  name  of  God,  and  his  doctrine,  be  not 
blasphemed.  1  Tim  vi.  1. 

4.   Q.  Will  our  devotions  be  acceptable  without  this  1 


144  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  No:  When  ye  make  many  prayers  I  will  not  hear,  for 
your  hands  are  full  of  blood.  Isa.  i.  15. 

§11. 

1.  Q.  Is  religion  toward  God  a  branch  of  universal  right- 
eousness ? 

A.  Yes :  render  to  God  the  things  that  are  God's.  Matt, 
xxii.  21. 

2.  Q.  And  is  righteousness  towards  men  a  branch  of  true 
religion  ? 

A.  Yes:  for,  pure  religion  and  undefiled  before  God  and  the 
Father  is  this,  to  visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  afflic- 
tion. James  i.  27. 

3.  Q.  Does  the  law  of  God  require  both  ? 

A.  ifes:  to  do  justly,  and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  hum- 
bly with  thy  God.  Mich,  vi.  8. 

4.  Q.  And  does  the  grace  of  the  gospel  teach  both? 

A.  Yes  :  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly,  in  this  pres- 
ent world.  Tit.  ii.  12. 

6.   Q.  Must  every  godly  man,  then,  be  an  honest  man  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  we  must  live  in  all  godliness  and  honesty.  1 
Tim.  ii.  2. 

6.  Q.  And  must  he  be  a  charitable  man  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  is  gracious  and  full  of  compassion  and  righteous. 
Ps.  cxii.  4. 

7.  Q.  And  will  the  trial  be  by  this,  at  the  great  day? 

A.  Yes :  for,  I  was  hungry,  and  ye  gave  me  meat.  Matt, 
xxv.  35. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  fifth  commandment  concern  our  duty  to  our 
relations  > 

A.  Yes  :  for  all  ye  are  brethren.  Matt,  xxiii.  8. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  be  careful  to  do  this  duly  > 

A.  Yes :  that  they  who  will  not  be  won  by  the  word,  may 
be  won  by  the  conversation.  1  Pet.  iii.  1 . 

LXIV.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  fifth  com- 
mandment ? 

A.  The  fifth  commandment  requireth  the  pre- 
serving the  honour,  and  performing  the  duties, 
belonging  to  every  one  in  their  several  places 
and  relations,  as  superiors,  inferiors,  or  equals. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  145 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  children  to  reverence  their  parents  ? 
A.  Yes:  Ye  shall  fear  every  man  his  mother  and  his  father. 

Lev.  xix.  3. 

2.  Q.  And  must  they  give  honour  to  them  ? 

A.  Yes:  if  I  be  a  father,  where  is  my  honour?  Mai.  i.  6. 

3.  Q.  And  may  they,  upon  no  account,  despise  them? 

A.  No :  despise  not  thy   mother  when  she  is  old.    Prov. 
xxiii.  22. 

4.  Q.  Ought  they  to  carry  themselves  respectfully  towards 
them? 

A.  Yes :  King  Solomon  rose  up  to  meet  his  mother,  and 
bowed  himself  to  her.  1  Kings  ii.  19. 

5.  Q.  And  to  speak  honourably  to  them  ! 

A.  Yes :  her  children  rise  up  and  call  her  blessed.    Pxot. 
xxxi.  28. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  children  to  obey  then*  parents  1 

A.  Yes :  children,  obey   your  parents  in  the  Lord.  Ephes. 
▼LI. 

2.  Q.  And  to  receive  their  instructions  ? 

A.  Yes:  hear  the  instruction   of  thy  father,  and  forsake  not 
the  law  of  thy  mother.  Prov.  i.  8. 

3.  Q.  And  to  submit  to  their  correction  1 

A.  Yes  :  the  fathers  of  our  flesh  corrected  us,  and  we  gave 
them  reverence.  Heb.  xiii.  9. 

4.  Q.  Should  children)  labour  to  rejoice  the  hearts  of  their 
parents  1 

A.  Yes  :  my  son,  if  thy  heart  be  wise,  my  heart  shall  rejoice. 
Prov.  xxiii.  15. 

5.  Q.  And  to  requite  them  ? 

A.  Yes  :  let  them  shew  piety  at  home,  and  requite  their  pa- 
rents. 1  Tim.  v.  4. 

6.  Q.  And  to  have  their  consent,  in  disposing  of  themselves  ? 
A.  Yes  :  Jacob  obeyed  his  father,  and  his  mother,  and  went 

to  Padanaram,  for  a  wife.  Gen.  xxviii.  7. 

7.  Q.  Is  Christ  an  example  of  this  subjection  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Nazareth,  and  was 
subject  to  them.  Luke  ii.  51. 

§  in. 
1.   Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  children  to  be  respectful  to  the  aged  ? 
A.  Yes :  thou  shaft  rise  up  before  the  hoary  head,  and  hon- 
our the  face  of  the  old  man.   Lev.  xix.  32. 
8 


146  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

2.  Q.  And  must  they  be  observant  of  their  teachers  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  will  mourn  at  the  last,  who  obey  not  the 
the  voice  of  their  teachers,  and  incline  not  their  ears  to  them 
that  instruct  them.  Prov.  v.  11,  13. 

3.  Q.  And  must  they  order  themselves  lowly  and  reverently 
to  all  their  betters  ? 

A.  Yes:  ye  younger,  submit  yourselves  to  the  elder.  1  Pet. 
v.  5. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  parents  to  be  tender  of  their  children? 
A.  Yes :  for,  can  a  woman  forget  her   sucking  child  ?  Isa. 

xlix.  15. 

2.  Q.  And  mild  towards  them  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  a  father  pities  his  children.  Ps.  ciii.  13. 

3.  Q.  And  to  bear  with  them  1 

A.  Yes :  as  a  man  spares  his  son  that  serves  him.  Mai. 
iii.   17. 

4.  Q.  And  yet,  must  they  correct  them  when  it  is  necessary  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  he  that  spares  his  rod,   hates  his  son  ;  but  he 

that  loves  him,  chastens  him  betimes.  Prov.  xiii.  24. 
§  v. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  parents  to  pray  for  their  children! 
A.  Yes :  Job  offered  for  his   sons   burn tr offerings,  according 

to  the  number  of  them  all.  Job.  i.  5. 

2.  Q.  And  to  bless  God  for  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  are  the  children  which  God  hath  graciously 
given  thy  servant.  Gen.  xxxiii.  6. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  to  bless  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  1 

Jl.  Yes:  by  faith  Isaac  blessed  Jacob  and  Esau.  Heb.  xi.  30. 

4.  Q.  And  are  they  to  provide  for  them  what  is  convenient  1 
A.  Yes:  if  any  provide  not  for   his  own,  especially  for  those 

of  his  own  house,  he   hath  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse  than 
an  infidel.   1  Tim.  v.  8. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q  Is  it  the  duty  of  parent's  to  bring  up  their  children  in 
the  fear  of  God  1 

A.  Yes :  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord.  Ephes.  vi.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  to  teach  them  the  things  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently  unto  thy  children. 
Deut.  vi.  7. 

3.  Q.  And  to  oblige  them  to  their  duty  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  know  Abraham,  that  he  will  command  his  chil- 
dren to  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord.  Gen.  xviii.  19. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  147 

4.  Q.  And  ought  they  to  set  them  a  good  example  % 

A.  Yes  :  I  will  walk  within  my  house  with  a  perfect  heart. 
Ps.  ci.  2. 

5.  Q.  And  must  they  patiently  part  with  their  children  when 
God  calls  for  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  hast  not    withheld   thy  son,  thine  only  son. 
Gen.  xxii.  16. 

§  vir 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  servants  to  honour  their  masters  and 
mistresses  ? 

A.  Yes  :  let  as  many  servants  as  are  under  the  yoke,  count 
their  own  masters  worthy  of  all  honour.  1  Tim.  vi.  i. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  their  duty  to  obey  them  ? 

A..  Yes  :  servants,  be  obedient  to  them  that  are  your  masters. 
Ephes.  vi.  5. 

3.  Q.  And  to  be  just  and  true  to  them ! 

A.  Yes  :  not  purloining,  but  shewing  all  good  fidelity.  Tit. 
ii.  10. 

4.  Q.  Ought  they  to  be  diligent  in  the  duty  of  their  place  ? 
A.  Yes  :  not  with  eye  service,  as  men-pleasers,  but  in  single- 
ness of  heart.  Col.  iii.  22. 

5.  Q.  And  to  do  it  cheerfully  1 

A.  Yes  :  whatsoever  ye  do,  do  it  heartily  and  with  good  will, 
doing  service.  Col.  iii.  23;  and  Ephes.  vi.  7. 

6.  Q.  Ought  they  to  be  patient  under  rebukes? 
A.  Yes  :  not  answering  again.  Tit.  ii.  9. 

7.  Q.  What,  though  they  suffer  unjustly  ? 

A.  Yes  :  servants,  be  subject,  not  only  to  the  good  and  gen- 
tle, but  also  to  the  froward.  1  Pet.  ii.  18. 

H.   Q.  And  must  they  have  an  eye  to  God  in  all  ? 
A.  Yes :  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  to  men.  Col.  iii.  23. 

$  Till. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  masters  to  be  just  to  their  servants'? 
A.  Yes:  masters,  give  to  your  servants  that  which  is  just 

and  equal.  Col.  iv.  1. 

2.  Q.  And  to  be  gentle  towards  them  ? 

A.  Yes  :  forbearing  threatening.  Ephes.  vi.  9. 

3.  Q.  Should  all  masters  of  families  worship  God  with  their 
families  1 

A,  Yes  :  as  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord. 
Josh.  xxiv.  15. 

4.  Q.  And  should  they  restrain  sin  in  their  families  1 

A.  Yes  :  thou  shalt  put  away  iniquity  far  from  thy  taberna- 
cle. Job.  xxii.  23. 


148  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§  IX. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  wives  to  be  respectful  to  their  hus- 
bands ? 

A.  Yes :  let  the  wife  see  that  she  reverence  her  husband. 
Ephes.  v.  33. 

3.    Q.  And  to  love  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  must  love  their  husbands  and  love  their  chil- 
dren. Tit.  ii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Must  they  be  submissive  to  their  husbands? 

A.  Yes :  wives,  submit  yourselves  to  your  own  husbands,  as 
it  is  fit  in  the  Lord.  Col.  iii.  IS. 

4.  Q.  Must  they  be  faithful  and  obedient  to  them? 

A.  Yes  :  they  must  be  chaste,  keepers  at  home,  obedient  to 
their  own  husbands.  Tit.  ii.  5. 

5.  Q.  Must  they  receive  instruction  from  them? 

A.  Yes :  if  they  will  learn  anything,  let  them  ask  their  hus- 
bands at  home.   1  Cor.  xiv.  35. 

6.  Q.  Must  they  be  helpers  to  them  in  religion  ? 

A.  Yes:  that  they  may  be  won  by  the  conversation  of  the 
wives.  1  Pet.  iii.  1. 

§x. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  husbands  to  love  their  wives  r* 

A.  Yes :  husbands,  love  your  wives,  and  be  not  bitter  against 
them.  Col.  iii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Must  they  love  them  dearly  ? 

A.  Yes :  let  every  one  love  his  wife,  even  as  himself.  Ephes. 
t.  33. 

3.  Q.  And  delight  in  them? 

A.  Yes:  rejoice,  with  the  wife  of  thy  youth.  Prov.  v.  18. 

4.  Q.  And  be  tender  of  them? 

A.  Yes :  giving  honour  to  the  wife,  as  unto  the  weaker  ves- 
sel.  1  Pet.  iii.  7. 

§xi. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  husbands  and  wives  to  be  pleasing, 
one  lo  another  ? 

A.  Yes  :  he  that  is  married  careth  how  to  please  his  wife, 
and  she  that  is  married  how  to  please  her  husband.  1  Cor.  vii. 
33,  34. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  their  duty  to  live  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  to  pray 
together  ? 

A.  Yes:  as  heirs  together  of  th«  grace  of  life,  that  your 
prayers  be  not  hindered.  1  Pet.  iii.  7. 

3.  Q.  Should  they  promote  the  eternal  salvation  one  of  an- 
other ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  149 

A.  Yes :  what  knowest  thou,  O  wife,  whether  thou  shalt  save 
thy  husband  1     Or  how  knowest  thou,  O   man,  whether  thou 
shalt  save  thy  wife  ?   1  Cor.  vii.  16. 
■§  XII. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  subjects  to  reverence  their  magistrates  ] 
A.  Yes  :  fear  God,  honour  the  king.  1  Pet.  ii.  17. 

2.  Q.  And  to  obey  them  in  the  Lord  ? 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  be  subject  to  principalities  and  powers,  and 
obey  magistrates.  Tit.  iii.  1 . 

3.  Q.  And  to  be  loyal  to  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  powers  that  be  are  ordained  of  God.  Rom. 
xiii.  1. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  pray  for  magistrates  1 

A.  Yes:  for  kings,  and  for  all  that  are  in  authority.  1  Tim. 
ii.  2. 

5.  Q.  And  to  pay  them  tribute  1 

A.  Yes :  tribute  to  whom  tribute  is  due,  custom  to  whom 
custom.  Rom.  xiii.  7. 

6.  Q.  Must  we  be  peaceable  under  their  government  1 

A.  Yes :  that  we  under  them  may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable 
life.  1  Tim.  ii.  2. 

7.  Q.  And  all  this  conscientiously  1 

A.  Yes :  ye  must  needs  be  subject,  not  only  for  wrath,  but 
also  for  conscience  sake.  Rom.  xiii.  5. 

8.  Q.  Ought  magistrates  to  be  as  parents  to  their  subjects  1 
A.  Yes:  kings  shall  be  thy  nursing  fathers,  and  queens  thy 

nursing  mothers.  Isa.  xlix.  23. 

§  XIII. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  people  to  love  and  respect  their  min- 
isters ? 

A.  Yes :  know  them  which  labour  among  you,  and  esteem 
them  very  highly  in  love,  for  their  work's  sake.  1  Thess.  v.  12, 
13. 

2.  Q.  Ought  they  to  submit  to  their  instructions  ? 

A.  Yes:  obey  your  guides,  and  submit  yourselves,  for  they 
watch  for  your  souls.  Heb.  xiii.  17. 

3.  Q.  And  to  provide  for  their  comfortable  subsistence  1 

A.  Yes:  let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  word  communicate  to 
him  that  teacheth.  Gal.  vi.  6. 

4.  Q.  And  ought  ministers  to  be  as  spiritual  fathers  to  their 
people ! 

A.  Yes  :  we  exhorted,  and  comforted,  and  charged  every  one 
of  you,  as  a  father  doth  his  children,  1  Thess.  ii.  11. 


150  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

§   XIV. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  equals  to  be  kind  one  to  another? 

A,  Yes  :  be  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another,  with  brother- 
ly love.  Rom.  xii.  10. 

2.  Q.  And  to  be  respectful,  one  to  another? 

A.  Yes  :  in  honour,  preferring  one  another.  Rom.  xii.  10. 

3.  Q.  And  to  be  submissive,  one  to  another  ? 

A.  Yes  :  yea,  all  of  you,  be  subject  one  to  another.  1  Pet. 
v.  5. 

LXV.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  fifth  com- 
mandment ? 

Ji.  The   fifth   commandment   forbiddeth   the 
neglecting  of,  or   doing   anything   against,  the 
honour  and  duty  which  belongeth  to  every  one 
in  their  several  places  and  relations. 
§  i. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  for  children  to  despise  their  parents'? 

A .  Yes  :  cursed  be  he  that  sets  light  by  his  father  or  mother. 
Deut.  xxvii.  16. 

2.  Q.  Or  to  disobey  them  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  eye  that  mocks  at  his  father,  and  despiseth  to 
obey  his  mother,  the  ravens  of  the  valley  shall  pick  it  out,  and 
the  young  eagles  shall  eat  it.  Prov.  xxx.  17. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  for  children  prodigally  to  spend  their  parent's 
substance  1 

A,  Yes  :  he  that  wasteth  his  father,  and  chaseth  away  his 
mother,  is  a  son  that  causeth  shame.  Prov.  xix.  26. 

4.  Q.  Or  to  grieve  their  parents  1 

A.  Yes :  a  foolish  son  is  the  heaviness  of  his  mother.  Prov. 
x.  1. 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  for  inferiors  to  be  rude  and  undutiful  to  then- 
superiors  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  a  child  to  behave  himself  proudly  against  the 
ancient,  and  the  base  against  the  honourable.  Isa.  hi.  5. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  for  superiors  to  be  harsh  and  unkind  to  their 
inferiors  ? 

A.  Yes.  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to  wrath,  lest 
they  be  discouraged.  Col.  iii.  21. 
§iii. 
1.   Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  be  vexatious  to  our  relations? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  151 

A.  Yes :  her  adversary  provoked  her  to  make  her  fret.  1 
Sam.  i.  6. 

2.  Q.  And  to  be  quarrelsome  with  our  relations  1 

A.  Yes  :  let  there  be  no  strife,  I  pray  thee,  between  me  and 
thee,  and  between  my  herdsmen,  and  thy  herdsmen,  for  we  be 
brethren.  Gen.  xiii.  8. 

3.  Q.  And  to  be  suspicious  of  our  relations  1 

A.  Yes :  for  charity  thinketh  no  evil.  1  Cor.  xiii.  4,  5. 

LXVI.  Q.  What  is  the  reason  annexed  to  the 
fifth  commandment  ? 

A.  The  reason  annexed  to  the  fifth  command- 
ment, is  a  promise  of  long  life  and  prosperity, 
(as  far  as  it  shall  serve  for  God's  glory  and  their 
own  good)  to  all  such  as  keep  this  command- 
ment. 

§1. 

1.  Q.  Is  there  a  gracious  promise  made  to  those  that  honour 
their  parents  1 

A.  Yes :  it  is  the  first  commandment  with  promise.  Ephes. 
vi.  2. 

2.  Q.  Is  long  life  promised  > 

A.  Yes :  that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  the  land.  Exod.  xx.  12. 

3.  Q.  Is  outward  prosperity  promised  ] 

A.  Yes :  that  it  may  be  well  with  thee.  Ephes.  vi.  3. 

4.  Q.  Are  temporal  blessings  promised  to  good  people  ? 

A.  Yes :  Godliness  hath  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is. 
1  Tim.  iv.  8. 

5.  Q.  And  are  they  promised  particularly  to  pious  and  duti- 
ful children  1 

A.  Yes :  my  son,  forget  not  my  law,  but  let  thine  heart  keep 
my  commandments  ;  for  length  of  days,  and  long  life,  and  peace 
shall  they  add  to  thee.  Prov.  hi.  1,  2. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Do  all  good  children  prosper  in  this  world  1 
A.  No :  for  all  things  come  alike  to  all.  Eccl.  ix.  2. 

2.  Q.  But  are  they  most  likely  to  prosper  1 

A.  Yes :  for,  by  humility,  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  are  riches, 
honour  and  life.  Prov.  xxii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Shall  they  prosper  as  far  as  is  for  God's  glory  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me.  Fs. 
1.15. 


152  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  And  as  far  as  is  for  their  own  good  1 

A.  Yes :  for  we  read  of  those  whom  God  sent  into  captivity 
for  their  good.  Jer.  xxiv.  5. 

5.  Q.  But  shall  good  children  lire,  however,  in  the  Heavenly 
Canaan  ? 

A.  Yes :  there,  their  inheritance  shall  be  forever.  Ps.  xxxvii. 
18. 

6.  Q.  And  are  disobedient  children  often  punished  in  this  life  ? 
A.  Yes :  as  Absalom  that  was  hanged  in  an  oak.  2  Sam. 

xviii.  9. 

LXVII.  Q.  Which  is  the  sixth  commandment? 
A.  The  sixth  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
not  kill. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  sixth  commandment  concern  our  own  and 
our  neighbour's  life  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  life  is  more  than  meat.  Matt.  vi.  25. 

2.  Q.  Has  God  a  tender  regard  to  the  life  of  men1? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  giveth  to  all  life  and  breath.  Acts  xvii.  25. 

3.  Q.  Has  he,  by  this  law,  made  a  hedge  about  life  1 

A.  Yes :  that  men  might  not  be  like  the  fishes  of  the  sea. 
Hab.  i.  14. 

§ii. 

1.  Q.  Did  there  need  this  law  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  men  live  in  malice  and  envy,  hateful,  and  hating 
one  another.  Tit.  iii.  3. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  part  of  the  law  of  nature  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  barbarous  people  said  of  a  murderer,  that 
vengeance  suffers  him  not  to  live.  Acts  xxviii.  4. 

LXVIII.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  sixth 
commandment? 

Jl.  The  sixth  commandment  requireth  all  law- 
ful endeavours  to  preserve  our  own  life,  and  the 
life  of  others. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  take  care  of  our  own  lives? 

A.  Yes :  no  man  ever  yet  hated  his  own  flesh,  but  nourisheth 
and  cherisheth  it.  Ephes.  v.  29. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  endeavour  the  preservation  of  them? 

A.  Yes :  skin  for  skin,  and  all  that  a  man  hath,  will  he  give 
for  his  life.  Job  ii.  4. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  153 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  be  careful  of  our  diet ! 

A.  Yes  :  hast  thou  found  honey  ?     Eat  so  much  as  is  suffi- 
cient for  thee.  Prov.  xxv.  16. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  use  physic  when  we  need  it? 

A.  Yes :  take  a  lump  of  figs  and  lay  it  upon  the  boil.  Isa, 
xxxviii.  21. 

5.  Q.  And  are  we  to  be  cheerful  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  a  merry  heart  doeth  good  like  a  medicine.  Prov. 
xvii.  22. 

§u. 

1.  Q.  But  may  we  deny  Christ,  to  save  our  lives  ? 

A.  No  :  for  he  that  so  saveth  his  life  shall  lose  it.  Matt.  xvL  2s. 

2.  Q.  May  we  commit  any  wilful  sin,  to  save  our  lives  ? 

A.  No  :  we  must  do  no  evil  that  good  may  come.  Rom.  hi.  8. 

3.  Q.  But,  what  we  do  for  the  preservation  of  our  own  lives, 
must  it  be  with  an  eye  to  God's  glory  1 

A.  Yes  :  that  I  may  live,  and  keep  thy  word.  Ps.  cxix.  17. 
Live  and  praise  thee.  v.  175. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  be  compassionate,  even  to  the  brute  crea- 
tures > 

A.  Yes :  a  righteous  man  regardeth  the  life   of  his  beast. 
Prov.  xii,  10. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  be  careful  of  the  lives  of  others,  as  well  as 
of  our  own  ? 

A.  Yes :  it  was  Cain  that  said,  am  I  my  brother's  keeper  ? 
Gen.  iv.  9. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  do  what  we  can,  in  our  places,  for  the  relief 
of  those  who  are  exposed  to  violence  1 

A.  Yes:  we  must  deliver  them  that  are  ready  to  be  slain. 
Prov.  xxiv.  11. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  succour  the  distressed,  like  the  good  Samari- 
tan ? 

A.  Yes  :  go  thou,  and  do  likewise.  Luke  x.  37. 
§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  support  the  lives  of  those  who  are  in  straits? 
A.  Yes :  the  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish,  came 

upon  me.  Job  xxix.  13. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  be  meek  towards  those  that  provoke  us  1 
A.  Yes:  shewing  all  meekness  toward  all  men.  Tit.  iii.  2. 

3.  Q.  And  are  we  to  be  merciful  toward  those  who  need  us  ? 
A.  Yes  :  put  on,  as  the  elect  of  God,  bowels  of  mercy.  Col. 

iii.  12. 


154  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

LXIX.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  sixth 
commandment  ? 

A.  The  sixth  commandment  forbiddeth  the 
taking  away  of  our  own  life,  or  the  life  of  our 
neighbour  unjustly,  or  whatsoever  tendeth  there- 
unto. 

§r. 

1.  Q.  May  we  dispose  of  our  own  lives  at  our  pleasure  ? 

A.  No  :  for,  surely,  your  blood  of  your  lives  will  I  require. 
Gen.  ix.  5. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin,  in  any  case,  to  kill  ourselves  I 
A.  Yes  :  do  thyself  no  harm.  Acts  xvi.  28. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  an  exceeding  sinful  sin  ] 

A.  Yes:  it  was  the  sin  of  Saul  and  Judas.  1  Sam.  xxxi.  4 ; 
Matt,  xxvii.  5. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin,  needlessly  to  expose  our  lives  1 

A.  Yes  :  thou  shalt  not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God.  Matt.  iv.  7. 

5.  Q.  But  must  we  not  expose  our  lives  to  keep  a  good  con- 
science r* 

A.  Yes:  neither  count  I  my  life  dear  unto  me,  so  that  I 
might  finish  my  course  with  joy.  Acts  xx.  24. 

1.  Q.  Is  drunkenness  a  sin  against  our  own  lives  > 

A.  Yes:  take  heed,  lest  your  hearts  be  overcharged  with 
surfeiting  and  drunkenness,  and  so  that  day  come  upon  you 
unawares.  Luke  xxi.  34. 

2.  Q.  Is  uncleanness  so  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  that  commits  fornication,  sins  against  his  own 
body.  1  Cor.  vi.  18. 

3.  Q.  Is  immoderate  care  and  grief  a  sin  against  our  own 
lives  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  sorrow  of  the  world  worketh  death.  2  Cor. 
vii.  10. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  lawful  for  the  magistrate  to  take  away  the  life  of 
a  malefactor  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  bears  not  the  sword  in  vain.  Rom.  xiii.  4. 

2.  Q.  May  soldiers  kill,  in  a  lawful  war  1 

A.  Yes:  cursed  is  he  thatkeepeth  back  his  sword  from  blood. 
Jer.  xlviii.  10. 

3.  Q.  But  is  wilful  murder  a  great  sin  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  155 

A.  Yes  :  the  voice  of  thy  brother's  blood  cries.  Gen.  iv.  10. 

4.  0.  Is  it  an  iniquity  to  be  punished  by  the  judge  1 

A.  Yes  :  whoso  sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man  shall  his  blood 
be  shed.  Gen.  ix.  6. 

5.  Q.  And  ought  the  murderer  to  be  put  to  death  1 

A.  Yes  :  a  man  that  doeth  violence  to  the  blood  of  any  per- 
son shall  flee  to  the  pit ;  let  no  man  stay*  kirn.  Prov.  xxviii.  17. 
§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Is  murder  a  great  affront  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  in  the  image  of  God  made  he  man.  Gen.  ix.  6. 

2.  Q.  Does  it  make  men  like  the  devil  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  was  a  murderer  from  the  beginning.  John 
viii.  44. 

3.  Is  it  of  dangerous  consequence  to  the  murderer  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  no  murderer  hath  eternal  life  abiding  in  him.  1 
John  iii.  15. 

4.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  pray,  that  God  would  keep  us 
from  it  ] 

A.  Yes :  deliver  me  from  blood-guiltiness,  0  God  of  my  sal- 
vation. Ps.  li.  14. 

1.  Q.  Is  malice  heart-murder  ? 

A.  Yes :  he  that  hateth  his  brother  is  a  murderer.  1  John 
iii.  15. 

2.  Q.  Is  rash  anger  a  breach  of  this  commandment  ] 

A.  Yes:  but  I  say  unto  you,  whosoever  is  angry  with  his 
brother  without  cause,  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  judgment. 
Matt.  v.  22. 

3.  Q.  Is  giving  foul  language  a  breach  of  this  commandment? 
A.  Yes  :  whosoever  shall  say  to  his  brother,  Raca,  or  thou 

fool,  shall  be  in  danger  of  hell  fire.  Matt.  v.  22. 

4.  Q.  Is  revenge  a  breach  of  this  commandment  ? 

A.  Yes  :  dearly  beloved,  avenge  not  yourselves.  Rom.  xii.  19. 

LXX.  Q.  Which  is  the  seventh  command- 
ment ? 

^L.  The  seventh  commandment  is,  Thou  shaft 
not  commit  adultery. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Does  this  commandment  concern  our  own  and  our 
neighbour's  chastity  1 

A.  Yes :  for  this  is  the  will  of  God,  even  our  sanctification. 
1  Thess.  iv.  3. 


156  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  needful  there  should  be  such  a  commandment '? 
A.  Yes  :  for  since  all  are  gone  aside,  they  are  all  become 

filthy.  Ps.  xiv.  3. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  agreeable  to  the  light  of  nature  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  Abimelech  called  adultery  a  great  sin.  Gen.  xx.  9. 

4.  Q.  And  is  this  command  for  the  public  good  of  mankind  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  whoredom  and  wine  take  away  the  heart.  Hos. 

iv.  11. 

LXXI.   Q.  What  is  required  in  the  seventh 
commandment  ? 

A.  The  seventh  commandment  requireth  the 
preservation   of  our  own  and  our  neighbour's 
chastity,  in  heart,  speech  and  behaviour. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  keep  our  bodies  pure  from  all  fleshly 
lusts  1 

A.  Yes:  we  must  possess  our  vessel  in  sanctification  and 
honour,  and  not  in  the  lust  of  concupiscence.   I  Thess.  iv.  4,  5. 

2.  0.  Are  we  to  present  our  bodies  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  present  your  bodies   unto   God  a  living  sacrifice. 
Rom.  xii.  1. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  glorify  him  with  them  1 

A.  Yes :  glorify  God  with  your  bodies.  1  Cor.  vi.  20. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  use  them  for  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  is  in  you.   I  Cor.  vi.  19. 

5.  Q.  And  to  employ  them  in  his  service  ? 

A.  Yes  :  yield  your  members  as  instruments  of  righteousness 
unto  God.  Rom.  vi.  13. 

6.  Q.  May  they,  then,  be  used,  in  the  service  of  our  lusts  7 
A.  No  :  for  if  any  man  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall 

God  destroy.   1  Cor.  iii.  17. 

§  n.  • 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  to  preserve  our  chastity,  in  heart  ? 

A.  Yes  ;  that  we   may  be  holy  both  in  body  -and  spinal 
Cor.  vii.  34. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  keep  out  all  unclean  thoughts  and  de- 
sires ? 

A.  Yes:  we  must  flee  youthful  lusts.  2  Tim.  ii.  22. 

3.  Q.  And  is  that  the  way  to  prevent  the  acts  of  uncleanness  1 
Ji.  Yes :  for,  when    lust  hath  conceived,  it  brings  forth  sin. 

J  amcs  i.  15. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  157 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  to  preserve  our  chastity,  in  speech? 

A.  Yes  :  let  your  speech  be  always  with  grace,  seasoned  with 
salt.  Col.  iv.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  the  character  of  good  people  to  be  modest  1 

A.  Yes :  I  will  turn  to  the  people  a  pure  language.  Zeph. 
iii.  9. 

§ir. 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  to  preserve  our  chastity  in  behaviour  ? 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  have  a  chaste  conversation  coupled  with 
fear.  1  Pet.  iii.  2. 

2.  Q.  And  in  our  clothing? 

A.  Yes :  women  must  adorn  themselves  in  modest  apparel, 
with  shame-facedness  and  sobriety.   1  Tim.  ii.  9. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  abstain  from  all  appearances  of  unclean- 
ness? 

A.  Yes:  hating,  even  the  garment  spotted  with  the  flesh. 
Jude  23. 

4.  Q.  And  from  all  approaches  to  it? 

A.  Yes  :  come  not  nigh  the  door  of  her  house.  Prov.  v.  8.      • 

§  v. 

1.  O.  Must  we  resolve  against  wanton  looks? 

A.  Yes  :  I  made  a  covenant  with  mine  eyes  ;  why,  then 
should  I  think  upon  a  maid?  Job  xxxi.  1. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  always  keep  our  bodies  in  soberness  and 
chastity  1 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  cleanse  ourselves  from  all  filthiness  both 
of  flesh  and  spirit.  2  Cor.  vii.  1. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  crucify  all  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  1 

A.  Yes :  they  that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh.  Gal. 
v.  24. 

4.  Q.  Must  the  body  be  subdued  ? 

A.  Yes:  I  keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection. 
1  Cor.  ix.  27. 

5.  Q.  And  must  its  sinful  desires  be  denied  1 

A.  Yes  :  if  thy  right  eye  offend  thee,  pluck  it  out,  and  cast  it 
from  thee.  Matt.  v.  29. 

LXXII.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  tke  seventh 
commandment  ? 

Jl.  The  seventh  commandment  forbiddcth  all 
unchaste  thoughts,  words  and  actions. 


15S  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§i. 

1 .  Q.  Is  adultery  a  very  great  sin  ? 

A.   Yes:  how  can  I  do  this  great  wickedness, and  sin  against 
God?  Gen.  xxxix.  9. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  an  iniquity,  to  be  punished  by  the  judge  ? 

A.   Yes  :  the  adulterer  and  the  adulteress  shall  surely  be  put 
to  death.  Lev.  xx.  10. 

3.  Q.  Is  fornication  a  very  great  sin  1 

A,  Yes  :  fornication  and  all  uncleanness,  let  it  not  be  once 
named  among  you.  Ephes.  v.  3. 

4.  Q.  Will  these  sins  certainly  shut  men  out  of  heaven,  if 
they  be  not  repented  of,  and  forsaken  "? 

A.  Yes :  for  fornicators  and  adulterers  shall  not  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God.  1  Cor.  vi.  9,  10. 
§n. 

1.   Q.  Are  unclean  thoughts  sins  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  whosoever  looketh  on  a  woman,  to  lust  after 
her,  hath  committed  adultery  with  her  already  in  his  heart.  Matt. 
v.  28. 
■     2.   Q.  Are  unclean  reflections  sins  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  some  multiply  their  whoredoms  by   calling  to 
remembrance  the  days  of  their  youth.  Ezek.  xxiii.  19. 

3.  Q.  Are  unclean  desires  sins  1 

A.   Yes :  inordinate  affection,  and  evil  concupiscence,  are  to 
be  mortified  in  us.  Col.  hi.  5. 

4.  Q.  And  must  all  fleshly  lusts  be  shunned  ? 

A.  Yes:  dearly  beloved,  I  beseech  you,  as  strangers  and  pil- 
grims, abstain  from  fleshly  lusts.  1  Pet.  ii.  11. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  unclean  words  sin  f* 

A.  Yes  :  for  there  must  be  neither  filthiness,  nor  foolish  talk- 
ing, nor  jesting.  Ephes.  v.  4. 

2.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  take  heed  of  speaking  any  filthy 
words  r* 

A.  Yes :  let  no  corrupt  communication  proceed  out  of  your 
mouth,  Ephes.  iv.  29. 

3.  Q.  May  we  take  delight  in  hearing  filthy  talk  1 

A.  No:  for  evil  communications  corrupt  good  manners.  1 
Cor.  xv.  33. 

§  iv. 

1.   Q.  Are  all  unchaste  actions  forbidden  in  this  command- 
ment 1 

A .  Yes :  not  only  adultery  and  fornication,  but  uncleanness 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  159 

and  laseiviousness,  (Gal.  v.  19.)  chambering  and  wantonness. 

Rom.  xiii.  13. 

2.   Q.  Are  the  occasions  of  uncleanness  here  forbidden  1 

A.  Yes:  have  no  fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  works   of 

darkness.  Ephes.  v.  11. 

§r.  < 

1.  Q.  Is  all  uncleanness  provoking  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  I,  the  Lord,  am  holy.  Lev.  xx.  26. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  against  our  bodies  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  body  is  not  for  fornication,  but  for  the  Lord. 
1  Cor.  vi.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  wrong  to  our  souls  T 

A.  Yes  :  for,  fleshly  lusts  war  against  the  soul.  1  Pet.  ii.  11. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  wounding  to  conscience  ] 

A.  Yes :  I  find  more  bitter  than  death  the  woman  whose 
heart  is  snares  and  nets.  Eccl.  vii.  26. 
§  vi. 

1.  Q.  Are  idleness  and  gluttony  occasions  of  uncleanness, 
and  forbidden  in  this  commandment  ? 

A.  Yes?  for,  this  was  the  iniquity  of  Sodom,  pride,  fulness 
of  bread,  and  abundance  of  idleness.  Ezek.  xvi.  49. 

2.  Q.  And  is  drunkenness  also  a  sin  of  dangerous  conse- 
quences 1 

A.  Yes  :  for  drunkards  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 
1  Cor.vi.  10. 

LXX1II.  Q.  What  is  the  eighth  command- 
ment ? 

Jl.  The  eighth  commandment  is,  Thou  shall 
not  steal. 

§r. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  eighth  commandment  concern  our  own  and 
our  neighbour's  wealth  and  outward  estate  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  earth  God  hath  given  to  the  children  of  men. 
Ps.  cxv.  16. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  necessary  there  should  be  such  a  command  1 
A.  Yes ;  for  every  brother  will  utterly  supplant.  Jer.  ix.  4. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  robbing  God  the  worst  theft'? 

A.  Ye^s :  will  a  man  rob  God?  Yet  ye  have  robbed  me.  Mai. 
iii.  8. 

2.  Q.  And  is  justice  to  God  the  highest  justice  ? 


160  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  render  to  God,  the  things  that  are  God's.  Matt 
xxii.  21. 

LXXIV.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  eighth 
commandment  ? 

A.  The  eighth  commandment  requireth  the 
lawful  procuring  and  furthering  the  wealth  and 
outward  estate  of  ourselves  and  others. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  religion  a  friend  to  outward  prosperity  ! 

A.  Yes :  for,  in  wisdom's  left  hand  are  riches  and  honour. 
Prov.  iii.  16. 

2.  Q.  Does  it  teach  us  to  be  diligent  in  our  callings  1 

A.  Yes :  be  thou  diligent  to  know  the  state  of  thy  flocks. 
Prov.  xxvii.  23. 

3.  Q.  And  to  keep  close  to  them  ! 

A.  Yes :  study  to  be  quiet,  and  to  do  your  own  business.  1 
Thess.  ir.  11. 

4.  Q.  And  is  that  the  way  to  thrive  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  the  hand  of  the  diligent  maketh  rich.  Prov.  x.4. 

5.  Q.  Does  religion  teach  us  to  be  prudent,  in  our  affairs  1 
A.  Yes :  the  good  man  will  guide  his  affairs  with  discretion. 

Ps.  cxii.  5. 

6.  Q.  And  is  that  the  way  to  thrive  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  through  wisdom  is  a  house  builded.  Prov. 
xxiv.  3. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  serve  God  with  our  worldly  estate? 

A.  Yes:  honour  the  Lord  with  thy  substance.  Prov.  iii.  9. 

2.  Q.  And  is  that  the  way  to  thrive  1 

A.  Yes:  so  shall  thy  barns  be  filled  with  plenty.  Prov.  iii.  10. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  cheerfully  use  our  estates  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  I  know  no  good  in  them,  but  for  a  man  to  re- 
joice, and  to  do  good  in  his  life.  Eccl.  iii.  12. 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  cheerfully  serve  God  with  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  we  must  serve  the  Lord  our  God  with  joyfulness 
and  gladness  of  heart,  in  the  abundance  of  all  things.  Deut. 
xxviii.  47. 

§  in.  , 

1.  Q.  Must  we  be  just  to  all  we  deal  with  1 

A,  Yes:  render,  therefore,  to  all  their  due.  Rom.  xiii.  7. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  give  every  body  his  own] 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  161 

A.  Yes :  owe  no  man  anything,  but  to  love  one  another. 
Rom.  xiii.  8. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  be  true  to  every  trust  reposed  in  us? 

A.  Yes :  as  the  workmen  who  dealt  faithfully.  2  Kings  xii.  15. 

4.  Q.  And  is  honesty  the  best  policy  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  a  little  that  a  righteous  man  hath,  is  better  thaa 
the  riches  of  many  wicked.  Ps.  xxxvii.  16. 

5.  Q.  And  shall  we  have  the  comfort  of  it  in  this  world  ? 
A.  Yes :  he  that  walketh  righteously,  and  speaketh  uprightly  > 

that  despiseth  the  gain  of  oppression,  and  shaketh  his  hands 
from  holding  of  bribes,  he  shall  dwell  on  high,  his  place  of  de- 
fence shall  be  in  the  munitions  of  rocks,  bread  shall  be  given 
him,  and  his  waters  shall  be  sure.  Isa.  xxxiii.  15,  16. 

6.  Q.  If,  therefore,  we  have  done  any  wrong,  must  we  make 
restitution  ? 

A.  Yes :  Zaccheus  stood  and  said,  if  I  have  wronged  any 
man,  I  restore  him  four  fold.  Luke.  xix.  8. 

1 .  Q.  Must  we  concern  ourselves  for  the  welfare  of  others  ? 
A.  Yes :  look  not  every  one  on  his  own  things,  but  every 

one  also  on  the  things  of  others.  Philipp.  ii.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  do  all  we  can  to  promote  the  welfare  of 
others  1 

A.  Yes  :  if  thy  brother's  ox  or  ass  go  astray,  thou  shalt  bring 
him  back.  Deut.  xxii.  1. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  relieve  the  poor,  according  to  our  ability  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  thy  brother  be  waxen  poor,  and  fallen  into  decay 
with  thee,  then  thou  shalt  relieve  him.  Lev.  xxv.  35. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  be  forward  to  relieve  the  poor? 

A.  Yes:  we  must  be  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  commu- 
nicate. 1  Tim.  vi.  18. 

3.  Q.  Is  that  the  way  to  thrive  in  this  world? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  that  hath  pity  on  the  poor,  lendeth  to  the 
Lord,  and  that  which  he  hath  given  will  he  pay  him  again, 
Prov.  xix.  17. 

4.  Q.  And  shall  it  be  repaidrin  a  future*  world  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  be  recompensed  in  the  resurrection  of 
the  just.  Luke  xiv.  14. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  make  this  use  of  what  we  have  in  the 
world? 


The  author's  language  is  "  the  other  world." — Editok* 
8* 


162  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  we  must  labour,  that  we  may  have  to  give  to  him 
that  needeth.  Ephes.  iv.  28. 

LXXV.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  eighth 
commandment? 

Ji.  The  eighth  commandment  forbiddeth 
whatsoever  doth  or  may  unjustly  hinder  our 
own  or  our  neighbour's  wealth  or  outward  state. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  May  we  do  what  we  will  with  our  own  estates  7 

A.  No :  for  we  are  but  stewards  of  the  manifold  grace  of 
God.  1  Pet.iv.  10. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin,  then,  to  waste  our  estates  in  prodigality  ? 
A.  Yes :  for,  the  drunkard  and  glutton  shall  come  to  poverty, 

Prov.  xxiii.  21. 

3.  Q.  Is  luxury  the  way  to  beggary  1 

A.  Yes:  he  that  loveth  pleasure  shall  be  a  poor  man.  Prov. 
xxi.  17. 

4.  Q.  Is  slothfulness  a  robbing  of  ourselves  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  that  is  slothful  in  his  work,  is  brother  to  him 
that  is  a  great  waster.  Prov.  xviii.  9. 

5.  Q.  And  is  that  the  way  to  poverty  ? 

A .  Yes :  for  drowsiness  shall  clothe  a  man  with  rags.  Prov. 
xxiii.  21. 

§n. 

1 .  Q.  Is  keeping  idle  company  the  way  to  poverty  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  that  folio weth  after  vain  persons  shall  have 
poverty  enough.  Prov.  xxviii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Is  fraud  and  injustice  the  way  to  poverty  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  wealth  gotten  by  vanity  shall  be  diminished. 
Prov.  xiii.  1 1 . 

3.  Q.  Can  any  expect  to  prosper  in  a  way  of  unjust  gain? 
A.  No  :  for  he  that  getteth  riches,  and  not  by  right,  shall 

leave  them  in  the  midst  of  Ms  days,  and  at  his  end  shall  be  a 
fool.  Jer.  xvii.   11. 

4.  Q.  Do  men  rob  themselves  and  their  families  by  foolish- 
ness in  their  affairs  } 

A.  Yes  :  for  every  wise  woman  buildeth  her  house,  but  the 
foolish  plucketh  it  down  with  her  hands.  Prov.  xiv.  I. 

5.  Q.  And  by  rash  suretyship  I 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  that  is  surety  for  a  stranger  shall  smart  for 
it.  Prov.  xi.  15. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  163 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  rob  ourselves  of  the  comfort  of  that  which 
God  has  given  us] 

A.  Yes :  if  a  man  hath  not  power  to  eat  of  it,  it  is  vanity, 
and  an  evil  disease.  Eccles.  vi.  2. 

2.  Q.  And  is  it  a  sin  to  deny  it  to  our  relations  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  any  provide  not  for  his  own,  especially  for  those 
of  his  own  house,  he  hath  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse  than 
an  infidel.   1  Tim.  v.  8. 

§  IV. 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  a  great  sin  to  steal  from  any  body  1 

A.  Yes:  for  every  one  that  stealeth  shall  be  cut  off.  Zech.v.  3. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  great  sin  for  children  to  steal  from  their  parents? 
A.  Yes :  whoso  robbeth  his  father  or  his  mother,  and  saith 

it  is  no  transgression,  the  same  is  the  companion  of  a  destroyer. 
Prov.  xxviii.  24. 

3.  Q.  And  for  the  rich  to  oppress  the  poor  ] 

A.  Yes:  rob  not  the  poor  because  he  is  poor.  Prov.  xxii.  22. 

4.  Q.  Will  you,  therefore,  keep  your  hands  from  picking  and 
stealing] 

A.  Yes  :  because  of  the  fear  of  God.  Neh.  v.  15. 

5.  Q.  Must  those  who  have  used  themselves  to  it  break  it  off? 
A.  Yes :  let  him  that  stole  steal  no  more.  Ephes.  iv.  28. 

6.  Q.  Must  poor  people  especially  watch  and  pray  against 
this  temptation  1 

A.  Yes :  lest  I  be  poor  and  steal.  Prov.  xxx.  9. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  cheat  any  body  in  a  bargain  ? 

A.  Yes :  let  no  man  go  beyond  or  defraud  his  brother  in  any 
matter.   1  Thess.  iv.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  use  false  weights  and  measures  ] 

A.  Yes :  a  false  balance  is  abomination  to  the  Lord.  Prov. 
li.  1. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  give  assistance  or  countenance  to  any 
fraud] 

A.  Yes :  whoso  is  partner  with  a  thief  hateth  his  own  soul. 
Prov.  xxix.  24. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  deny  relief  to  the  poor  ! 

A.  Yes :  whoso  hath  this  world's  goods,  and  seeth  his  brother 
have  need,  and  shutteth  up  the  bowels  of  his  compassion  from 
him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  that  man?   1  John  iii.  17. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  deny  the  payment  of  a  just  debt  ] 


164  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  for  the  wicked  borroweth  and  payeth  not  again.  Ps. 
xxxvii.  21. 

3.  Q.  Or  withhold  wages  that  is  due  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  hire  of  the  labourer  kept  back  by  fraud,  crieth. 
James  v.  4. 

4.  Q.  And  is  the  love  of  money  the  cause  of  all  these  sins? 
A.  Yes :  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil.  I  Tim.  vi.  10# 

LXXVI.  Q.  Which  is  the  ninth  command- 
ment ? 

A.  The  ninth  commandment  is,  Thou  shall 
not  bear  false  witness  against  thy  neighbour. 

1.  Q.  Does  this  commandment  concern  our  own  and  our 
neighbour's  good  name  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  a  good  name  is  better  than  precious  ointment. 
Eccl.  vii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Is  there  need  of  this  commandment  1 

A.  Yes :  for  every  neighbour  will  walk  with  slanders.  Jer. 
ix.  4. 

LXXVII.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  ninth 
commandment  ? 

Ji.  The  ninth  commandment  requireth  the 
maintaining  and  promoting  of  truth  between 
man  and  man,  and  of  our  own  and  our  neigh- 
bour's good  name,  especially  in  witness  bearing. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  govern  our  tongues'? 

A.  Yes  :  I  said  I  will  take  heed  to  my  ways,  that  I  sin  not 
with  my  tongue.  Ps.  xxxix.  1. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  a  good  Christian  that  does  not  1 

A.  No :  for  if  any  man  among  you  seem  to  be  religious,  and 
bridleth  not  his  tongue,  that  man's  religion  is  vain.  James  i.  26. 

3.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  pray  to  God,  to  keep  us  from 
tongue  sins  1 

A.  Yes  :  set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before  my  mouth.  Ps.  cxli.  3. 

§ir. 
1 .  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  speak  truth  1 

A.  Yes:  speak  ye  every  man  the  truth  to  his  neighbour. 
Zech.  viii.  16. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  165 

2.  Q.  Is  there  good  reason  for  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  are  members,  one  of  another.  Ephes.  iv.  H5. 

3.  Q.  And  is  this  the  character  of  a  good  man  ? 

A.  Yes :  that  he  speaketh  the  truth  in  his  heart.  Ps.  xv.  2. 

4.  Q.  Are  all  truths  to  be  spoken  at  all  times  ] 

A.  No  :  for  there  is  a  time  to  keep  silence,  and  a  time  to 
speak.  Eccl.  iii.  7. 

5.  Q.  But  may  an  untruth  be  spoken  at  any  time  ? 

A.  No :  for  God's  people  are  children  that  will  not  lie.  Isa. 
lxiii.  8. 

§ni. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty,  especially  in  witness  bearing,  to  speak 
truth? 

A.  Yes :  for  a  faithful  witness  will  not  lie.  Pro  v.  xiv.  5. 

2.  Q.  And  the  whole  truth  1 

A.  Yes  :  Samuel  told  Eli  every  whit,  and  hid  nothing  from 
him.  1  Sam.  iii.  18. 

3.  Q.  And  nothing  but  the  truth  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  a  lying  tongue  is  but  for  a  moment.  Prov,  xii.  1 9. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  our  duty  to  strive  to  have  a  good  name  with  God  1 
A.  Yes:  for,  not  he  that  commendeth  himself  is  approved, 

but  whom  the  Lord  commendeth.  2  Cor.  x.  8. 

2.  Q.  And  should  we  endeavour  to  have  a  good  name  with 
good  people  ? 

A.  Yes  :  let  those  that  fear  thee  turn  unto  me.  Ps.  cxix.  79. 

3.  Q.  And,  if  possible,  a  good  name  with  all  people  ? 

A.  Yes :  Beinetrius  hath  a  good  report  of  all  men.  3  John  12. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  abound  in  those  things  that  are  of  good 
report ! 

A.  Yes :  if  there  be  any  virtue,  if  there  be  any  praise,  think 
on  those  things.  Philipp.  iv.  8. 

§y. 

1.  Q.  In  order  to  our  getting  a  good  name,  must  we  live  by 
faith? 

A.  Yes:  for  by  it  the  Elders  obtained  a  good  report.  Heb.xi.2. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  walk  wisely  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  a  man's  wisdom  makes  his  face  to  shine.  Eccl. 
•viii.  1. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  do  justly  ? 

A.  Yes  :  having  your  conversation  honest  among  the  Gen- 
tiles. 1  Pet.  ii.  12. 


166  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

4.  Q.  And  be  humble  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  before  honour  is  humility.  Prov.  xviii.  12. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  abound  in  good  works  1 

A.  Yes:  let  your  light  so  shine  before  men.  Matt.  v.  16. 

6.  Q.  But  can  good  people  expect  to  have  every  one's  good 
word  1 

A.  No :  woe  unto  you  when  all  men  speak  well  of  you. 
Luke  vi.  26. 

7.  Q.  May  we  hazard  a  good  conscience  to  preserve  our  repu- 
tation ? 

A.  No :  for  our  praise  is  not  of  men,  but  of  God.  Rom.  ii.  29. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Ought  we  to  be  very  tender  of  the  good  names  of 
others  ? 

A.  Yes:  we  must  honour  all  men.  1  Pet.  ii.  17. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  give  them  the  praise  of  that  in  them  which 
is  good? 

A.  Yes:  we  also  bear  record.  3  John  12. 

3.  Q.  But  may  we  flatter  them? 

A.  No:  he  that  speaketh  flattery  to  his  friends,  even  the 
eyes  of  his  children  shall  fail.  Job.  xvii.  5. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  charitably  conceal  their  faults  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  charity  covcreth  a  multitude  of  sins.   1  Pet.  iv.  8. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  discourage  slandering  and  censoriousness  ? 
A.  Yes:  we  must,  with  an  angry  countenance,  drive  away 

a  back-biting  tongue,  Prov.  xxv.  23. 

LXXVIII.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  ninth 
commandment  ? 

J2.  The  ninth  commandment  forbiddeth  what- 
soever is  prejudicial  to  truth,  or  injurious  to  our 
own  or  our  neighbour's  good  name. 
1 1. 

1.  Q  Is  lying  a  great  sin  1 

A.  Yes:  lie   not  one  to  another,  seeing  ye  have  put  off  the 
old  man.  Col.  iii.  9. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  that  God  hates  ? 

A.  Yes :  lying  lips  are  abomination  to  the  Lord.  Prov.  xii.  22. 

3.  Q.  And  is  it  a  sin  that  all  good  men  hate? 
A.  Yes  :  I  hate  and  abhor  lying.  Ps.  cxix.  163. 

4.  Q.  Does  it  make  men  like  the  devil? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  167 

A ,  Yes :  for  he  is  a  liar  and  the  father  of  it.  John  viii.  44. 
5.    Q.  And  will  it  bring  them  to  hell  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  all  liars  have  their  part  in  the  lake  that  burns 
with  fire  and  brimstone.  Rev.  xxi.  8. 
§ii. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  lawfvd  to  tell  a  lie  to  make  sport  ? 

A.  No  :  for  as  a  madman  who  casteth  fire-brands,  arrows  and 
death,  so  is  he  that  deceiveth  his  neighbour,  and  saith,  am  not 
I  in  sport?  Prov.  xxvi.  18,  19. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  lawful  to  tell  a  lie  to  excuse  a  fault 1 

A.  No :  for  Gehazi  for  doing  so  had  a  leprosy  entailed  on 
him  and  his  seed  forever.  2  Kings  v.  37. 

3.  Q.  May  we  tell  a  lie  with  intention  to  do  good  1 

A.  No  :  we  must  not  do  evil  that  good  may  come.  Rom.  iii.  8. 

4.  Q.  Will  what  is  got  by  lying  do  us  any  good  1 

A.  No  :  the  getting  of  treasures  by  a  lying  tongue  is  vanity, 
tossed  to  and  fro  of  them  that  seek  death.  Prov.  xxi.  6. 

5.  Q.  Should  we,  therefore,  pray  against  this  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  remove  from  me  the  way  of  lying.  Ps.  cxix.  29. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  belie  ourselves? 

A.  Yes :  as  there  is  that  maketh  himself  poor,  yet  hath  great 
riches.  Prov.  xiii.  7. 

2.  Q.  May  we  be  careless  of  our  own  good  name  ? 

A.  No :  if  I  should  say  I  know  him  not,  I  should  be  a  liar 
like  unto  you.  John  viii.  55. 

§  IV. 

1 .   Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  belie  our  neighbour  } 
A.  Yes :  they  laid  to  my  charge  things  that  I  know  not.  Ps. 
xxxv.  11. 

•2.   Q.  Is  it  folly? 

A.  Yes:  he  that  uttereth  slander  is  a  fool.  Prov.  x.  18. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  speak  evil  of  any  1 

A.  Yes :  put  them  in  mind  to  speak  evil  of  no  man.  Tit. 
iii.  1,  2. 

4.  Q.  And  to  be  censorious  of  our  brethren  ? 

A.  Yes :  judge  not,  that  ye  be  not  judged.  Matt.  vii.  1. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  great  offence  to  God  to  do  this  1 

A.  Yes :  he  that  speaks  evil  of  his  brother,  and  judgeth  his 
brother,  speaketh  evil  of  the  law  and  judgeth  the  law.  James 
iv.  11. 

6.  Q.  Does  it  make  us  like  the  devil  ? 


168  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  is  the  accuser  of  the  brethren.  Rev.  xii.  10. 

§T. 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  raise  a  false  report  1 

A.  Yes:  thou  shalt  not  raise  a  false  report.  Exod.  xxiii.  1. 

2.  Q.  And  a  sin  to  spread  it  1 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  not  go  up  and  down  as  a  tale-bearer. 
Lev.  xix.  16. 

3.  Q.  May  we  proclaim  our  brethren's  faults  1 

A,  No  :  for  charity  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity.  1  Cor.  xiii.  6. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  speak  ill  of  magistrates  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shalt  not  speak  evil  of  the  ruler  of  thy  people. 
Acts,  xxiii.  5. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  be  abusive  to  the  poor  1 

A.  Yes:  for  he  that  mocketh  the  poor,  reproacheth  his  maker, 
Prov.  xvii.  5. 

6.  Q.  May  we  speak  ill  of  those  who  speak  ill  of  us? 

A.  No :  we  must  not  render  railing  for  railing.  1  Pet.  iii.  9. 

LXXIX.  Q.  What  is  the  tenth  command- 
ment ? 

•ft.  The  tenth  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
not  covet  thy  neighbors  house,  thou  shalt  not 
covet  thy  neighbour's  wife,  nor  his  man-ser- 
vant, nor  his  maid-servant,  nor  his  ox,  nor 
his  ass,  nor  any  thing  that  is  thy  7ieighbours. 
§i. 

1 .  Q.  Does  this  commandment  lay  a  restraint  upon  the  heart  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  law  is  spiritual.  Rom.  vii.  14. 

2.  Q.  Does  the  heart  need  this  restraint  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  the  inward  part  is  very  wickedness.  Ps.  v.  9. 

3.  Q.  Does  the  light  of  nature  discover  this1? 

A.  No  :  I  had  not  known  lust  except  the  law  had  said,  thou 
shalt  not  covet.  Rom.  vii.  6. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  forbidden  to  covet  another  man's  house  ? 

A.  Yes:  as  they  that  covet  houses  and  take  them  away. 
Mic.  ii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Or  another  man's  wife  1 

A.  Yes :  for  her  husband  is  to  her  a  covering  of  the  eyes 
Gen.  xx.  16. 

3.  Q.  Or  another  man's  goods  > 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  169 

A.  Yes :  I  have  coveted  no  man's  silver,  or  gold,  or  apparel' 
Acts  xx.  33. 

LXXX.  Q.  What  is  required  in  the  tenth 

commandment  ? 

Ji.  The  tenth  commandment  required  full 
contentment  with  our  own  condition,  with  a 
right  and  charitable  frame  of  spirit  toward  our 
neighbour,  and  all  that  is  his. 

1.  Q.  Has  God  the  disposal  of  our  outward  condition? 
A.  Yes  :  my  times  are  in  thy  hand.  Ps.  xxxi.  15. 

2.  Q.  And  does  he  order  all  events  concerning  us  1 

A.  Yes :  He  performeth  the  thing  that  is  appointed  for  us. 
Job  xxiii.  1 4. 

3.  Q.  Ought  we,  therefore,  to  be  content  with  our  condition  1 
A.  Yes :  be  content  with  such  things  as  ye  have.  Heb.  xiii.  5. 

4.  Q.  Ought  we  to  be  content  in  every  condition  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  have  learned,  in  whatsoever  state  I  am,  therewith 
to  be  content.  Philipp.  iv.  11. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  be  content  with  a  little  1 

A.  Yes :  having  food  and  raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  con- 
tent. 1  Tim.  vi.  8. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Can  we  expect  that  our  condition  should  be  in  every 
thing  brought  to  our  mind  1 

A.  No:  for  all  is  vanity.  Eccl.  i.  14. 

2.  Q.  Is  it,  therefore,  our  wisdom,  to  bring  our  mind  to  our 
condition  ? 

J.  Yes :  I  know  how  to  be  abased,  and  I  know  how  to 
abound.     Philipp.  iv.  12. 

3.  Q.  Is  anything  got  by  this  1 

A.  Yes :  godliness,  with  contentment,  is  great  gain.  I 
Tim.  vi.  6. 

4.  Q.  And  is  this  the  way  to  be  easy  1 

A.  Yes:  in  your  patience  possess  ye  your  souls.  Luke 
xxi.  19. 

§iii. 
1 .  Q.  Is  that  best  which  is  ? 

A.  Yes :  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good. 
1  Sam.  iii.  18. 

9 


170  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  therefore  make  the  best  of  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  wherefore  should  a  living  man  complain  ? 
Sam.  iii.  39. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  acknowledge  it  is  better  than  we  de- 
serve ? 

A.  Yes :  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  all  thy  mercies.  Gen. 
xxxii.  10. 

§iv. 

t.   Q.  Ought  we  to  desire  the  welfare  of  our  neighbours? 

A.  Yes  :  let  no  man  seek  his  own,  but  every  man  another's 
wealth.  1  Cor.  x.  24. 

2.  Q.  And  to  pray  for  it  1 

Ji.  Yes:  supplications  and  prayers  must  be  made  for  all 
men.  1  Tim.  ii.  1. 

3.  Q.  And  to  be  well  pleased  with  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice.  Rom.  xii.  15. 

4.  Q.  And  to  lay  to  heart  our  neighbour's  troubles  ? 

A.  Yes  :  remember  them  that  are  in  bonds,  as  bound  with 
them.  Heb.  xiii.  3. 

5.  Q.  And  is  this  a  charitable  frame  of  spirit  ? 

A.  Yes:  for,  charity  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind.  1  Cor. 
xiii.  4. 

LXXXI.  Q.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  tenth 
commandment? 

Ji.  The  tenth  commandment  forbiddeth  all  dis- 
contentment with  our  own  estate,  envying  or 
grieving  at  the  good  of  our  neighbour,  and  all 
inordinate  motions  and  affections  to  anything 
that  is  his. 

§r. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  fret  at  the  disposals  of  God's  Providence  > 
A.  Yes  :  for,  shall  we  receive  good  of  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 

and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  also!  Job  ii.  10. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  quarrel  with  them  i* 

A.  Yes :  for,  they  that  murmured  were  destroyed  of  the  de- 
stroyer. 1  Cor.  x.  10. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  an  evil  thing  to  undervalue  the  mercies  we  have  ? 
A.  Yes :  as  the  Israelites  that  said,  there  is  nothing  besides 

this  manna.  Numb.  xi.  6. 

4.  Q.  And  to  aggravate  the  afflictions  we  are  under? 

A.  Yes:  as  they  that  said,  we  die,  we  perish,  we  all  perish. 
Numb.  xvii.  1 2. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  171 

5.   Q.  May  we,  in  any  thing,  be  discontented  ? 

A.  No  :  for,  we  must,  in  every  thing,  give  thanks.  1  Thess. 

18. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  against  this  commandment,  to  enry  our 
neighbour's  welfare7 

A.  Yes  :  for  charity  envieth  not.  i    Cor.  xiii.  4. 

2.  Q.  Is  envy  an  offence  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  is  our  eye  evil  because  his  is  good.  Matt.  xx.  1 5. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  hurtful  to  ourselves  ? 

A  Yes  :  for  envy  is  the  rottenness  of  the  bones.  Prov.  xiv.  30. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  cause  of  much  mischief  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  where  envy  is,  there  is  confusion,   and  every 
evil  work.  James  iii.  16. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  be  pleased  with  our  neighbour's  hurt  or  loss? 
A.  Yes  :  he  that  is  glad  at  calamities  shall  not  be  unpunish- 
ed. Prov.  xvii.  5. 

§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  desire  to  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  lust  not  after  evil   things  as  they   also  lusted.  1 
Cor.  x.  6. 

2.  Q.  Does  all  sin  begin  in  the  lustings  of  the  heart? 

Jl.  Yes:  for  lust,  when  it  hath  conceived,  bringeth  forth  sin. 
James  i.  15. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  desire  any  temporal  good  inordinately  1 
A.  Yes  :  as  Rachel,  that  said,  give  me  children,  or  else  I  die. 

Gen.  xxx.  1. 

4.  Q.  And  is  it  a  sin  to  lust  after  the  delights  of  sense  1 

A.  Yes  :  as  the  Israelites  who   wept  again,  saying,  who  will 
give  us  flesh  to  eat?  Numb.  xi.  4. 

5.  0.  Must  we,  therefore,  suppress  all  sinful  desires  ? 

A.  Yes  :  and  make  no  provision  for  the  flesh,  to  fulfil  the 
lusts  thereof.  Rom.  xiii.  14. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  a  sin  to  set  our  hearts  upon  worldly  wealth  ? 

A.  Yes :  love  not  the  world,  nor  the  things  that  are  in  the 
world.  1  John  ii.  15. 

2.  Q.  Is  covetousness  an  offence  to  God? 
A.  Yes :  for,  it  is  idolatry.  Col.  iii.  5. 

3.  Q.  Will  it  be  a  vexation  to  ourselves  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  that  loveth  silver  shall  not  be  satisfied  with 
silver.  Eccl.  v.  10. 

4.  Q.  Will  it  be  a  vexation  to  our  families  1 


172  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for,  he  that  is  greedy  of  gain  troubles  his  own 
house.  Prov.  xv.  27. 

§T. 

1.  Q.  And  injurious  to  our  neighbour? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  that  lay  house  to  house  and  field  to  field, 
would  be  placed  alone  in  the  midst  of  the  earth.  Isa.  v.  8. 

2.  Q.  Is  covetousness  the  cause  of  much  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  that  will  be  rich,  fall  into  temptation  and 
a  snare.  1  Tim.  vi.  9. 

3.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  watch  against  it  ? 

A.  Yes:  take  heed,  and  beware  of  covetousness.  Luke 
xii.  15. 

4.  Q.  and  must  we  abstain  from  all  the  practices  of  it  1 

A.  Yes :  let  your  conversation  bs  without  covetousness. 
Heb.  xiii.  5. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  earnestly  against  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  incline  my  heart  unto  thy  testimonies,  and  not  to 
covetousness.  Ps.  cxix.  36. 

LXXXI1.  Q.  Is  any  man  able,  perfectly,  to 
keep  the  commandments  of  God  ? 

Jl.  No  mere  man,  since  the  fall,  is  able,  in  this 
life, perfectly,  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God, 
but  doth  daily  break  them  in  thought,  word, 
and  deed. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Are  any  in  this  world  perfeclly  free  from  sin  1 

A.  No :  for  there  is  no  man  that  sinneth  not.  2  Chron. 
vi.  36. 

2.  Q.  Was  Christ,  who  was  not  a  mere  man,  perfect  ? 
A.  Yes:  he  knew  no  sin.  2  Cor.  v.  21. 

3.  Q.  Was  Adam,  before  the  fall,  perfect  ? 

A.   JTes :  for,  God  made  man  upright.  Eccl.  vii.  29. 

4.  Q.  Are  the  saints  in  the  other  life,  perfect  1 

A.  Yes :  the  glorious  church,  is  without  spot,  or  wrinkle. 
Ephes.  v.  27. 

5.  Q.  But  is  any  mere  man,  since  the  fall,  in  this  life,  per- 
fect?  | 

A.  No:  for  there  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth,  that  dceth 
good,  and  sinneth  not.  Eccl.  vii.  20. 
§n. 
1.   Q.  Are  self-justifiers  self-deceivers  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  173 

A.  Yes:  if  we  say  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves. 
1  John  i.  8. 

2.   Q.  And  do  they  put  a  great  affront  upon  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for,  if  we  say  we  have  not  sinned,  we  make  him  a 
liar.   1  John  i.  10. 

1.  Q.  Are  not  we  able  to  keep  God's  commandments  better 
than  we  do  > 

A.  Yes :  if  I  have  done  iniquity,  I  will  do  no  more.  Job 
xxxiv.  32. 

2.  Q.  But,  are  we  able,  perfectly  to  keep  them  1 

A.  No :  for,  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  present  with  me. 
Rom.  vii.  21. 

3.  Q.  Though  Noah  was  said  to  be  perfect,  yet,  did  not  he 
sin? 

A.  Yes:  for,  he  drank  of  the  wine,  and  was  drunk.  Gen. 
ix.  21. 

4.  Q.  And  Job? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  cursed  his  day.  Job  iii,  1. 

5.  Q.  And  Hezekiah? 

A.  Yes:  for, his  heart  was  lifted  up.  2  Chron.  xxxii.  25. 

6.  Q.  Was  St.  Paul  himself  perfect  1 

A.  No :  not  as  though  I  had  already  attained,  either  were 
already  perfect.  Philipp.  iii.  12. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Do  we  sin  daily  ? 

A.  Yes  :  in  many  things,  we  offend  all.  James  iii.  2. 

2.  Q.  Do  we  daily  sin  in  thought  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  imagination  of  man's  heart  is  evil  from  his 
youth.  Gen.  via.  21. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  guilty  of  many  tongue-sins  1 

A.  Yes :  in  the  multitude  of  words,  there  wanteth  not  sin. 
Prov.  x.  19. 

4.  Q.  Are  the  best  guilty  of  many  defects  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  when  the  spirit  is  willing,  the  flesh  is  weak. 
Matt.  xxvi.  41. 

5.  Q.  And  of  many  inadvertencies  7 

|    A.  Yes  :  they  are  overtaken  in  a  fault.  Gal.  vi.  1. 
G.   Q.  Can  we  tell  how  often  we  offend  > 
A.  No  :   who  can  understand  his  errors  ?  Ps.  xix.  12. 

7.  Q.  Should  we  not,  therefore,  have  recourse  to  Christ,  daily 
by  faith  and  repentance  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Fa- 
ther. 1  John  ii.  1. 


174  SCRIPTURE   CATECHISM. 

LXXXIII.  Q.  Are  all  transgressions  of  the 
law  equally  heinous  ? 

A.  Some  sins  in  themselves,  and,  by  reason 
of  several  aggravations,  are  more  heinous  in 
the  sight  of  God  titan  others. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  every  sin  done  in  God's  sight  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  did  this  evil  in  thy  sight.  Ps.  li.  4. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  heinous,  in  God's  sight ! 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity.  Heb. 
i.  13. 

3.  Q.  But  is  every  sin  alike  heinous  1 

A.  No :  he  that  delivered  me  unto  thee  hath  the  greater 
sin.  John  xix.  11. 

4.  Q.  Are  some  sins,  in  themselves,  more  heinous  than  others] 
A.  Yes:  if  a  man  sin  against  the  Lord,  who   shall  entreat 

for  him  !  1  Sam.  ii.  25. 

5.  Q,  Are  presumptuous  sins  more  heinous  than  others? 

A.  Yes :  the  soul  that  doeth  aught  presumptuously,  that 
soul  reproacheth  the  Lord.  Numb.  xv.  30. 

6.  Q.  Was  ever  any  sin  so  heinous  as  not  to  be  forgiven  ? 
A.  Yes :  the  Pharisee's  blasphemy   against  the  Holy  Ghost 

was  so.  Matt.  xii.  32. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Are  sins  against  knowledge  aggravated  sins  ? 

A.  Yes :  that  servant  that  knew  his  Lord's  will  and  did  it 
not,  shall  be  beaten  with  many  stripes.  Luke  xii.  47. 

2.  Q.  And  sins  against  mercies  ! 

A.  Yes  :  do  ye  thus  requite  the  Lord,  O  foolish  people  and 
unwise?  Deut.  xxxii.  6 

3.  Q.  Especially  against  spiritual  mercies  1 

A.  Yes :  as  Solomon,  who  turned  from  the  Lord  God  of  Is- 
rael, which  had  appeared  unto  him  twice.  1  Kings  xi.  9. 

4.  Q.  Are  sins  against  reproof  aggravated  sins? 

A.  Yes  :  he  that,  being  often  reproved,  hardeneth  his  neck, 
shall  suddenly  be  destroyed.  Prov.  xxix.  1. 

5.  Q.  And  sins  against  our  vows  and  covenants? 

A.  Yes  :  thou  saidst,  I  will  not  transgress.  Jer.  ii.  20. 

§  in. 
1.   Q.  Are  the  sins  of  great  professors  aggravated  sins  1 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  name  of  God  is  blasphemed  thiough  them. 
Rom.  ii.  24. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  175 

2.  Q.  And  the  sins  of  ministers  ? 

A.  Yes  :  thou  that  preachest  a  man  should  not  steal,  dost 
thou  steal?  Rom.  ii.  21. 

3.  Q.  May  the  place  be  an  aggravation  of  the  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  provoked  him  at  the  sea,  even  at  the  Red  Sea. 
Ps.  cvi.  7. 

4.  Q.  And  the  time  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  turned  aside  quickly.  Exod.  xxxii.  8. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  it  an  aggravation  of  sin,  if  it  be  done  with  contri- 
vance ? 

A.  Yes  :  woe  to  them  that  devise  iniquity.  Mic.  ii.  1. 

2.  Q.  And  if  it  be  done  with  delight  1 

A.  Yes:  they  rejoice  to  do  evil.  Prov.  ii.  14. 

3.  Q.  And  without  blushing? 

A.  Yes:  they  declare  their  sin  as  Sodom.  Isa.  iii.  9. 

4.  Q.  And  if  it  be  boasted  of? 

A.  Yes  :  whose  glory  is  in  their  shame.  Philipp.  iii.  19. 

6.   Q.  And  if  it  be  often  repeated] 

A.  Yes  :  they  have  tempted  me  now  these  ten  times.  Numb. 
xiv.  22. 

6.  Q.  Should  we  take  notice  of  these  aggravations,  in  our 
confessions  ? 

A.  Yes  :  Aaron  shall  confess  the  iniquity  of  the  children  of 
Israel,  and  all  their  transgressions  in  all  their  sins.  Lev.  xvi.  21. 

LXXXIV.   Q.  What  doth  every  sin  deserve? 

Jl.  Every  sin  deserveth  God's  wrath  and 
curse,  both  in  this  life,  and  that  which  is  to 
come. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Does  sin  provoke  Goil 

A.  Yes :  Ephraim  provoked  him  to  anger  most  bitterly. 
Hos.  xii.  14. 

2.  Q.  Does  it  deserve  his  wrath  1 

A.  Yes:  according  to  their  deserts  will  I  judge  them.  Ezek. 
vii.  27. 

3.  Q.  Does  that  wrath  rest  upon  impenitent  sinners  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on  them.  John  iii.  36. 

4.  Q.  And  is  it  just  it  should  1 

Ji.  Yes  :  for  when  God  renders  to  every  man  according  to 
his  work,  he  renders  indignation  and  wrath,  tribulation  and 
anguish  to  every  soul  of  man  that  doeth  evil.  Rom.  ii.  6,  8,  9. 


176  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

|IJ. 

1.  Q.  Does  sin  deserve  God's  curse  '? 

A.  Yes  :  cursed  is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all  things 
written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them.  Gal.  iii.  10. 

2.  Q.  Can  any  avoid  that  curse  ? 

A.  No :  for  all  these  curses  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  over- 
take thee.  Deut.  xxviii.  15. 

3.-  Q.  Can  a  man  bear  up  under  that  curse  > 

A.  No  :  for  it  shall  come  into  his  bowels  like  water  and  like 
oil  into  his  bones.  Ps.  cix.  IN. 

4.   Q.  Can  a  man  fortify  himself  against  that  curse  ? 

A .  No :  for  it  shall  consume  the  house  with  the  timber  thereof, 
and  the  stones  thereof.  Zech.  v.  4. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Does  sin  deserve  God's  wrath  and  curse,  in  this  life  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  these  things'  sake  cometh  the  wrath  of  God  upon 

the  children  of  disobedience.  Col.  iii.  6. 

2.  Q.  And  in  the  life  to  come  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  wrath  is  treasured  up  against  the  day  of  wrath. 
Rom.  ii.  5. 

3.  Q.  Does  every  sin  deserve  God's  wrath  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  the  wages  of  sin  is  death.  Rom.  vi.  23. 

4.  Q.  Is  any  sin  venial  in  its  own  nature  ] 

A.  No :  for  the  blood  of  Christ  is  that  which  must  cleanse 
from  all  sin.   1  John  i.  7. 

5.  Q.  Does  your  sin  deserve  this  wrath  and  curse  1 
A.  Yes:  if  I  be  wicked  woe  to  me.  Job.  x.  15. 

LXXXV.  Q.  What  doth  God  require  of  us, 
that  we  may  escape  his  wrath  and  curse  due  to 
us  for  sin  ? 

A.  To  escape  the  wrath  and  curse  of  God 
due  to  us  for  sin,  God  requireth  of  us  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ,  repentance  unto  life,  with  the 
diligent  use  of  all  the  outward  means  whereby 
Christ  communicateth  to  us  the  benefits  of  re- 
demption. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  la  the  wrath  and  curse  of  God  due  to  us  for  sin  ? 
A.  Yes:  we  are,  by  nature,  children  of  wrath.  Ephes.  ii.  3. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  177 

2.  Q.  Has  God  provided  a  way  of  escape  from  that  wrath  ! 
A.  Yes  :  I  have  found  a  ransom.  Job.  xxxiii.  24. 

3.  Q.  Does  the  gospel  shew  us  that  way  1 

A.  Yes  :  he  shall  tell  the  words  whereby  thou  maycst  be 
saved.  Acts  xi.  14. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  through  Christ  that  we  may  escape  this  wrath  ? 
A.  Yes:  it  is  Jesus  that  delivereth  us  from  the  wrath  to 

come.  1  Thess.  i.  10. 

^ .   Q.  Is  any  thing  to  be  done  by  us  in  order  to  our  escape  ? 

A.  Yes :  work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trem- 
bling ;  for  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  you.  Philipp.  ii.  12,  13. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  concerned  to  inquire  what  is  to  be  done  by  us 
in  order  to  our  escape  ? 

A.  Yes :  wherewithal  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord  1  Mic. 
vi.  6. 

2.  Q.  Will  a  convinced  conscience  put  us  upon  this  inquiry  ! 
A.  Yes :  when  they  were  pricked  to  the  heart  they  said, 

men  and  brethren  what  shall  we  do  ?  Acts  ii.  37. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  be  serious  and  solicitous  in  this  inquiry  1 

A.  Yes:  as  the  gaoler  that  came  trembling  and  said,  Sirs, 
what  must  I  do  to  be  saved  >  Acts  xvi.  30. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  be  speedy  in  this  inquiry  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  morning  cometh  and  also  the  night :  if  ye  will 
inquire,  inquire  ye.  Isa.  xxi.  12. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  make  this  inquiry  with  resolution  1 

A.  Yes :  they  shall  ask  the  way  to  Zion,  with  their  faces 
thitherward.  Jer.  1.  5. 

6.  Q.  Must  we  apply  ourselves  to  Christ  with  this  inquiry  "? 
A.  Yes :  good  Master,  what  good  thing  shall  I  do  that  I  may 

have  eternal  life  1  Matt.  xix.  16. 
§ni. 

1.  Q.  Is  that  which  is  to  be  done  by  us  for  our  salvation 
required  of  ur  1 

A.  Yes  :  this  is  his  commandment,  that  we  believe.  1  John 
hi.  23. 

2.  Q.  And  are  we  called  upon  to  do  it  ? 

A.  Yes: 'turn  ye,  turn  ye,  why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of 
Israeli  Ezek.  xxxiii.  11. 

§  IT. 
1.  Q.  Is  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  required  that  we  may  escape 
this  wrath  ? 


178  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be 
saved.  Acts  xvi.  31. 

2.  Q.  Is  repentance  required  ? 

A.  Yes:  repent  and  be  converted,  that  your  sins  maybe 
blotted.  Actsiii.  19. 

3.  Q.  Did  our  Lord  Jesus  preach  these  as  the  two  great  com- 
mandments of  the  gospel  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  kingdom  of  God  is  at  hand  ;  repent  ye,  and  be- 
lieve the  gospel.  Mark  i.  15. 

4.  Q.  Did  the  Apostles  preach  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  testifying  both  to  the  Jews  and  also  to  the  Greeks, 
repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Acts  xx.  21. 

5.  Q.  And  is  it  required  that  we  diligently  use  the  means  of 
grace  ? 

A.  Yes :  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you.  Matt,  xxvii.  20. 

LXXXVI.   Q.  What  is  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  ? 

A.  Faith  in  Jesus  Christ  is  a  saving  grace, 
whereby  we  receive  and  rest  upon  him  alone 
for  salvation,  as  he  is  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ? 

A.  Yes:  ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me?  John  xiv.  1 

2.  Q.  Is  Christ  in  the  word  the  object  of  our  faith  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  the  word  is  nigh  thee.  Rom.  x.  8. 

3.  Q.  Is  faith  in  Christ  a  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  not  of  ourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God.  Ephes. 
ii.  8. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  free  grace  1 

A.  Yes  :  to  you  it  is  given  on  the  behalf  of  Christ  to  believe 
in  him.  Philipp.  i.  29. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  saving  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  believe  to  the  saving  of  the  soul.  Heb.  x.  39. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  that  by  which  we  live  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  just  shall  live  by  faith.  Rom.  i.  17. 

7.  Q.  Is  unbelief  the  great  damning  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  could  not  enter  in  because  of  unbelief.  Heb. 
iii.  19.. 

§it. 
1.  Q.  Do  we  by  faith  assent  to  gospel  truths? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  179 

A.  Yes  :  he  that  hath  received  his  testimony  hath  set  to  his 
seal  that  Go:!  is  true.  John  iii.  33. 

2.  Q.  Do  wc  by  faith  consent  to  gospel  terms  1 

A.  Yes:  take  my  yoke  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me.  Matt, 
xi.  29. 

3.  Q.  Must  both  these  go  together  1 

A.  Yes:  he  said,  Lord,  I  believe  ;  and  he  worshipped  him. 
John  ix.  38. 

4.  Q.  Is  there  good  reason  for  both  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  both  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all 
acceptation.  1  Tim.  i.  15. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  this  receiving  Christ  1 

A.  Yes:  ye  have  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord.  Col.  ii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  applying  the  righteousness  of  Christ  to  ourselves  ? 
A.  Yes :  who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me.  Gal.  ii.  20. 

3.  Q.  And  consenting  to  it  1 

A.  Yes :  we  have  now  received  the  atonement.  Rom.  v.  1 1 . 

4.  Q.  Must  we  receive  Christ,  to  rule  lis  as  well  as  to  save  us , 
A.  Yes :  for  him  hath  God  exalted,  to  be  both  a  Prince  and 

a  Saviour.  Acts  v.  3 1 . 

5.  Q.  And  is  it  enough  only  to  receive  him  ? 

A.  No :  as  we  have  received  him,  so  we  must  walk  in  him. 
Col.  ii.  6. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Do  we  by  faith  rest  on  Christ  alone  for  salvation  ? 

A.  Yes  :  in  his  name  shall  the  Gentiles  trust.  Matt.  xii.  21. 

2.  Q.  And  rely  on  his  righteousness  1 

A.  Yes :  that  I  may  win  Christ,  and  be  found  in  him,  not 
having  on  my  own  righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law,  but  that 
which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ.  Philipp.  iii.  8,  9. 

3.  Q.  And  do  we  rejoice  in  him  1 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  the  circumcision  that  rejoice  in  Christ 
Jesus.     Philipp.  iii.  3. 

§  v. 

1.  Q.  Will  faith  in  Christ  produce  good  affections  ? 
A.  Yes  :  for  it  works  by  love.  Gal.  v.  6. 

2.  Q,  Will  it  purify  the  heart  ? 

A.  Yes :  purifying  their  hearts  by  faith.  Acts  xv.  9. 

3.  Q.  Will  it  overcome  the  world  1 

A.  Yes :  this  is  the  victory  overcoming  the  world,  even  your 
faith.  1  John  v.  4. 

4.  Q.  Will  it  resist  the  temptation  of  Satan? 


180  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  the  shield  of  faith  quenches  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
wicked.  Ephes.  vi.  ]  6. 

5.  Q.  Does  it  exert  itself  in  obedience  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  gospel  is  made  known  to  all  nations  for  the 
obedience  of  faith.  Eom.  xvi.  26. 

6.  Q.  And  does  it  subject  the  soul  to  the  grace  and  govern- 
ment of  the  Lord  Jesus  ? 

A.  Yes  :  my  Lord  and  my  God.  John  xx.  28. 

LXXXVII.  Q.  What  is  repentance  unto  life? 

A.  Repentance  unto  life  is  a  saving  grace, 
whereby  a  sinner,  out  of  a  true  sense  of  his  sin, 
and  apprehension  of  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ, 
doth,  with  grief  and  hatred  of  his  sin,  turn  from 
it  unto  God,  with  full  purpose  of,  and  endeavour 
after,  new  obedience. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  true  repentance,  repentance  unto  life  ? 

A.  Yes  :  God  hath  to  the  Gentiles  granted  repentance  unto 
life.  Actsxi.  18. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  if  God,  peradventure  will  give  them  repentance. 
2  Tim.  ii.  25. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  saving  grace  ? 

A.  Yes :  godly  sorrow  woUketh  repentance  unto  salvation. 
2  Cor.  vii.  1 0. 

In. 

1.  Q.  Is  repentance  required  of  every  one  of  us? 

A.  Yes:  God  commandeth  all  men  every  where  to  repent. 
Acts  xvii.  30. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  necessary  to  our  pardon  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  are  preached 
to  all  nations.  Luke  xxiv.  47. 

3.  Q .  Is  it  given,  to  qualify  us  for  pardon  1 

A.  Yes :  God  hath  exalted  his  Son  Christ  Jesus,  to  give 
repentance  and  remission  of  sins.  Acts  v.  31. 

4.  Q.  Can  we  be  saved  without  it  1 

A.  No  :  except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.  Luke 
xiii.  3. 

§  in. 
1.   Q.  Is  it  necessary  to  repentance,  that  there  be  a  sense  of 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  181 

A.  Yes:  cause  Jerusalem  to  know  her  abominations.  Ezek. 
xvi.  2. 

2.  Q.  M^s   "there  be  an  acknowledgment  of  sin  1 

A.  Ye?  ^".    acknowledge  my  transgressions,  and  my  sin  is 
ever  beftre  me.  Ps.  li.  3. 

3.  C'  Must  we  acknowledge  the  fact  of  sin  ? 

A,  Yes :  thus  and  thus  have  I  done.  Josh.  vii.  20. 

±.   Q.  And  the  fault  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  have  done  this  evil  in  thy  sight.  Ps.  li.  4. 

5.  Q.  And  the  folly  of  it? 

A.  Yes  :  O  God,  thou  knowest  my  foolishness.  Ps.  lxix.  5. 

6.  Q.  Must  we  acknowledge  the  original  of  sin  ? 
A.  Yes  :  behold  I  was  shapen  in  iniquity.  Ps.  li.  5. 

7.  Q.  Must  we  acknowledge  ourselves  odious  to  God's  holi- 
ness, because  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  behold  I  am  \ile.  Job.  xl.  4. 

8.  Q.  And  obnoxious  to  his  justice? 

A.  Yes :  if  thou,  Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniquities,  O  Lord, 
who  shall  stand  >  Ps.  cxxx.  3. 

§  rv. 

1 .  Q.  Must  there  be  an  apprehension  of  the  mercy  of  God  in 
Christ  1 

A.  Yes  :  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  that  thou  mayest  be 
feared.  Ps.  cxxx.  4. 

2.  Q.  Must  that  invite  us  to  repent? 

A.  Yes :  the  goodness  of  God  leadeth  thee  to  repentance. 
Rom.  ii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Is  that  evangelical  repentance  which  flows  from  a  hope 
of  that  mercy  ? 

A.  Yes :  repent,  for   the  kingdom   of  Heaven   is  at   hand. 
Matt.  hi.  2. 

4.  Q.  Can  there  be  true  repentance  where  there  is  a  despair 
of  mercy  ? 

A.  No :  thou  saidst  there  is  no  hope ;    no,   I   have   loved 
strangers,  and  after  them  will  I  go.  Jer.  ii.  25. 

5.  Q.  Have  we  reason  to  hope  for  that  mercy  ? 

A.  Yes :  turn  to  the  Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy.  Is.  Iv.  7. 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Must  there  be  contrition  for  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  when  they  heard  this  they  were  pricked  to  the 
heart  Acts  ii.  37. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  turn  from  sin  ? 

A,  Yes:  every  one  mourning  for  his  iniquities.  Ezek.  vii.  16. 


182  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  mourn  greatly  for  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  Peter  went  out  and  wept  bitterly.  Matt.  xxvi.  75. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  mourn  after  a  godly  sort? 

A.  Yes :  ye  were  made  sorry  after  a  godly  man.  ^r.*  2  Cor. 
vii.  9. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  mourn  for  sin  with  an  eye  to  Christ  S 

A.  Yes :  they  shall  look  on    him  whom  they  have  pierced, 
and  mourn.  Zech.  xii.  10. 

§vi. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  hate  sin? 

A.  Yes :  I  hate  every  false  way.  Ps.  cxix.  128. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  loathe  ourselves  because  of  sia  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes.  Job 
xlii.  6. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  be  ashamed  of  ourselves  before  God  1 

A.  Yes  :  I  am  ashamed,  and  blush  to  lift  up  my  face  to  thee, 
my  God.  Ezra  ix.  6. 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  humble  ourselves  greatly  in  his  presence? 
A.  Yes:  as  the  publican  that  stood  afar  orf,  and  would  not 

lift  up  so  much  as  his  eyes  to  heaven.  Luke  xviii.  13. 

§  VII. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  confess  our  sins  ? 

A.  Yes:  for,  he  that  covereth  his  sins  shall  not  prosper.  Prov. 
xxviii.  13. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  aggravate  them  ? 

A.  Yes:  I   have  sinned  against  Heaven,  and  before  thee. 
Luke  xv.  18. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  judge  ourselves  because  of  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  if  we  would  judge  ourselves,  we  should  not  be 
judged.   I  Cor.  xi.  31. 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  cry,  earnestly  to  God,  for  pardon,  in  the 
blood  of  Christ  ? 

A,  Yes  :  God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner,  Luke  xviii.  13. 

§  VIII. 

1 .  Q.  Must  we  turn  from  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  repent,  and  turn  yourselves  from  all  your  transgres- 
sions. Ezek.  xviii.  30. 

2.  Q.  From  our  own  sin  1 

A.  Yes  :  return  ye,  now,  every  one,  from  his  evil  way.  Jer. 
xviii.  11. 


*  Mr.  Henry  here,  adopted  the  marginal  reading  "  ye  sorrowed 
according  to  God,"  but  the  Editor  supposes  the  reading  of  the 
text  sufficiently  correct  and  plain,  and  preferred  retaining  it. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  183 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  turn  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  if  thou  wilt  return,  O  Israel,  return  unto  me.  Jer. 
iv.  1. 

4.  Q.  Are  back  sliders  invited  to  return  ? 

A .  Yes :  return,  ye  back-sliding  children.  Jer.  iii.  22. 

5.  Q.  And  should  they  accept  the  invitation  1 

A.  Yes:  behold,  we  come  unto  thee,  for  thou  art  the  Lord, 
our  God.  Jer.  iii.  22. 

§ix. 

1.  Q.  In  repentance,  must  there  be  a  change  of  the  mind  1 
A.  Yes  :  make  ye  a  new  heart.  Ezek.  xviii.  31, 

2.  Q.  Must  there  be  a  change  of  the  way  ? 

A.  Yes:  cease  to  do  evil,  learn  to  do  well.  Is.  i.  16.  17. 

3.  Q.  Must  there  be  a  full  resolution  against  all  sin1? 

A.  Yes :  Ephraim  shall  say,  what  have  I  to  do  any  more 
with  idols  ?  Hos.  xiv.  8. 

4.  Q.  And  a  full  resolution  of  new  obedience'? 

A.  Yes :  the  Lord  our  God  will  we  serve,  and  his  voice  will 
we  obey.  Josh.  xxiv.  24. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  be  serious  in  our  endeavours  accordingly  ? 
A.  Yes :  bring  forth,  therefore,  fruits  meet  for  repentance. 

Matt.  iii.  8. 

LXXXVIII.  Q.  What  are  the  outward  means 
whereby  Christ  communicateth  to  us  the  benefits 
of  redemption  ? 

A.  The  outward  and  ordinary  means  where- 
by Christ  communicateth  to  us  the  benefits  of 
redemption,  are  his  ordinances,  especially  the 
word,  sacraments,  and  prayer ;  all  which  are 
made  effectual  to  the  elect  for  salvation. 
§i. 

1 .  Q.  Does  Christ  communicate  the  benefits  of  redemption  1 
A.  Yes:  for,  of  his  fulness  have  all  we  received.  John  i.  18. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  ordinarily  communicate  them  by  means  1 
A.  Yes :  I  will,  for  this,  be  inquired  of.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  37. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  tied  to  those  means  ] 

A.  No  :  for,  the  Spirit,  as  the  wind,  bloweth  where  it  listeth. 
John  iii.  8. 

4.  Q.  But  are  we  tied  to  the  use  of  them  ? 

A.  Yes:  whore  I  record  my  name,  I  will  come  to  thee,  and 
will  bless  thee.  Exod.  xx.  24. 


184  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

5.  Q.  Are  the  ordinances  the  outward  and  ordinary  means 
of  grace  ? 

A.  Yes:  I  the  Lord  do  sanctify  Israel,  when  my  sanctuary 
shall  be  in  the  midst  of  them.  Ezek.  xxxvii.  28. 
§n. 

1 .  Q.  Are  the  words,  sacraments,  and  prayer,  the  great  gospel 
ordinances  1 

A.  Yes  :  then  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  bap- 
tized, and  they  continued  stedfastly  in  the  apostle's  doctrine  and 
fellowship,  and  in  breaking  of  bread,  and  in  prayers.  Acts  ii. 
41,  42. 

2.  Q.  Is  singing  of  psalms  also  a  gospel  ordinance  1 

A.  Yes  :  speaking  to  yourselves  in  psalms,  and  hymns,  and 
spiritual  songs.  Ephes.  v.  19. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  appointed  for  our  own  consolation  ? 

A.  Yes:  is  any  merry  ?  let  him  sing  psalms.  James  v.  13. 

4.  Q.  And  for  mutual  instruction  1 

A.  Yes :  teaching  and  admonishing  one  another  in  psalms. 
Col.  iii.  16. 

5.  Q.  And  for  God's  glory  ? 

A.  Yes  :  singing  with  grace  in  your  heart  to  the  Lord.  Col. 
iii,  16. 

§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Has  Christ  appointed  ministers  of  the  gospel  1 

A.  Yes :  He  hath  given  pastors  and  teachers,  for  the  edifying 
of  the  body  of  Christ.  Ephes.  iv.  11,  12. 

2.  Q.  Is  the  administration  of  ordinances  committed  to  them  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  they  are  the  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God. 

1  Cor.  iv.  1. 

3.  Q.  And  must  they  attend  to  that  service  1 

A.  Yes  :  we  will  give  ourselves  to  prayer,  and  to  the  minis- 
try of  the  word.  Acts  vi.  4. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  Are  gospel  ordinances  made  effectual  to  all  for  salva- 
tion? 

A,  No :  for,  with  many  of  them,  God  was  not  well  pleased. 
1  Cor.  x.  5. 

2.  Q.  But  are  they  made  effectual  to  the  elect? 

A.  Yes :  as  many  as  were  ordained  to  eternal  life  believed. 
Acts  xiii.  48. 

LXXXIX.  Q.  How  is  the  word  made  effec- 
tual to  salvation  ? 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  1S5 

A.  The  Spirit  of  God  maketh  the  reading,  but 
especially  the  preaching  of  the  word,  an  effect- 
ual means  of  convincing  and  converting  sinners, 
and  of  building  them  up  in  holiness  and  comfort, 
through  faith,  unto  salvation. 
§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  word  to  be  read  by  us  1 

A.  Yes:  I  charge  you  that  this  epistle  be  read  unto   all  the 
holy  brethren.  1  Thess.  v.  27. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  to  be  read  in  solemn  assemblies  ? 

A.  Yes  :  Moses  is  read  in  the  synagogues  every  Sabbath  day. 
Acts  xv.  21. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  profitable  to  expound  the  scriptures  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  that  read  in  the  law  of  God,  gave  the  sense, 
and  caused  them  to  understand  the  reading.  Neh.  viii.  8. 

4.  Q.  Is  the  word  of  God  to  be  preached  1 

A.  Yes:  preach  the  word,  be  instant  in  season,  and  out  of 
season,  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort.  2  Tim.  iv.  2. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  the  duty  of  ail  to  hear  the  word  1 

A.  Yes :  he  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit 
saith  unto  the  churches.  Rev.  ii.  7. 

6.  Q.  Will  the  bare  reading  and  hearing  of  the  word  profit  ? 
A.  No :  the  letter  kills,  but  the  Spirit  gives  life.  2  Cor.  hi.  6. 

§  ii. 

1.  Q.  But  is  the  reading  and  hearing  of  the  word  the  ordina- 
ry means  of  convincing  sinners  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  mighty  through  God,  to  the  pulling  down 
of  strong  holds.  2  Cor.  x.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  of  startling  the  secure? 

A'  Yes:  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned.  Ps.  xix.  11. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  the  ordinary  means  of  conversion  ? 

A.  Yes  :  if  the  prophets  had  stood  in  my  counsel,  they  should 
have  turned  people  from  their  evil  way.  Jer.  xxiii.  22. 

4.  Q.  And  has  it  been  the  conversion  of  many  ? 

A.  Yes :  when  the  law  of  truth  was  in  his  mouth,  he  did 
turn  many  away  from  iniquity.  Mai.  ii.  6. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  the  ordinary  means  of  working  faith  ? 
A.  Yes :  for,  faith  cometh  by  hearing.  Rom.  x.  17. 

6.  Q.  And  of  the  renewing  of  the  heart  1 

A.  Yes:  for,  the  seed  is  the  word  of  God.  Luke  viii,  11. 

7.  Q.  And  of  reforming  the  life  ? 

9* 


1SG  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  by  the  words  of  thy  lips  I  have  kept  me  from  the 
paths  of  the  destroyer.  Ps.  xvii.  4. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  reading  and  hearing  of  the  word  needful  to  those 
who  are  regenerate  ? 

A.  Yes :  for,  they  are  nourished  up  in  the  words  of  faith,  and 
of  good  doctrine.  1  Tim.  iv.  6. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  means  of  building  them  up  in  holiness'? 

J...  Yes  :  it  is  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints.  Ephes.  iv.  12. 

3.  Q.  Will  it  furnish  them  for  all  good  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly 
furnished  to  all  good  works.  2  Tim.  iii.  17. 

4.  Q.  Will  it  fortify  them  against  all  evil? 

A.  Yes:  for,  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  is  the  word  of  God. 
Ephes.  vi.  17. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  means  of  building  them  up  in  comfort  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  we  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  scrip- 
tures might  have  hope.  Rom.  xv.  4. 

§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  Spirit  of  God  make  the  word  effectual  for  all 
these  good  purposes  1 

A.  Yes:  when  the  hand  of- the  Lord  was  with  them,  a  great 
number  believed,  and  turned  to  the  Lord.  Acts  xi.  21. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  effectual  through  faith  unto  salvation  1 

A.  Yes :  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one 
that  believeth.  Rom.  i.  16. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  not  a  great  mercy,  then,  to  have  plenty  of  the  word 
of  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  blessed  is  the  people  that  know  the  joyful  sound. 
Ps.  Ixxxix.  15. 

4.  Q.  And  should  we  not  welcome  those  that  bring  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  blessed  is  he  that  cometh  in." the  name  of  the  Lord. 
Ps.  cxviii.  26. 

XC.  Q.  How  is  the  word  to  be  read  and 
heard,  that  it  may  become  effectual  to  salvation? 

,/J.  That  the  word  may  become  effectual  to 
salvation,  we  must  attend  thereunto  with  dili- 
gence, preparation,  and  prayer,  receive  it  with 
faith  and  love,  lay  it  up  in  our  hearts,  and  prac- 
tice it  in  our  lives. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  187 

§1- 

1.  Q.  Must  we  read  the  word  of  God  with  seriousness? 

A.  Yes:  we  must  give  attendance  to  reading.   1  Tim.  iv.  13. 

2.  Q.  And  not  read  it  as  a  common  book  ? 

A.  No :  it  is  not  a  vain  thing,  for  it  is  your  life.  Deut. 
xxxii.  47. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  be  diligent  to  hear  the  word  ? 

A.  Yes  :  watching  daily  at  wisdom's  gates,  waiting  at  the 
posts  of  her  doors.  Prov.  viii.  34. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  prepare  for  hearing  it  ? 

A.  Yes  :  lay  aside  all  malice,  and  guile,  and  hypocrisy,  and 
fllthiness,  and  superfluity  of  naughtiness.  1  Pet.  ii.  1,  and  James 
i.  21. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  come  to  it  with  a  spiritual  appetite  ? 

A.  Yes :  as  new  born  babes,  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the 
word.  1  Pet.  ii.  2. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  set  ourselves  to  receive  it? 

A.  Yes  :  as  Mary  sat  at  Jesus'  feet  to  hear  his  word.  Luke 
x.  39. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  bow  our  souls  before  it  ? 

A.  Yes  :  speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant  hearcth.   1  Sam.  iii.  9. 
G.    Q.  Must  we  diligently  hearken  to  it  1 
A.  Yes:  be  swift  to  hear.  James  i.  19. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  hear  the  word  with  reverence  1 

A.  Yes :  when  Ezra  opened  the  book,  all  the  people  stood  up. 
Neh.  viii.  5. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  hear  it  with  care  ? 

A.  Yes:  take  heed  how  ye  hear.  Luke  viii.  18. 

3.  Q.  And  with  meekness  1 

A.  Yes  :  receive,  with  meekness,  the  ingrafted  word.  James 
i.  21. 

4.  Q.  And  with  delight  7 

A.  Yes :  how  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my  taste  !  Ps.  cxix. 
103. 

5.  Q.  And  with  a  holy  fear? 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  tremble  at  the  word.  Isa.  lxvi.  2. 

6.  Q.  Must  we  receive  it,  as  the  word  of  men  1 

A.  No  :  but  as  it  is,  in  truth,  the  word  of  God.  1  Thess.  ii. 
J  :. 

§iv. 
1.   Q.  Must  we  take  heed  of  slecy  Iv.z  under  the  word  > 


18S  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

A .  Yes :  could  ye  not  watch,  with  me,  one  hour  1  Matt, 
xxvi.  40. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  a  blessing  upon  the  word  ? 

A.  Yes  :  open  thou  mine  eyes,  that  I  may  behold  wondrous 
things  out  of  thy  law.  Ps.  cxix.  18. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  receive  the  word  with  faith'? 

A.  Yes :  for  it  will  not  profit  if  it  be  not  mixed  with  faith. 
Heb.  iv.  2. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  receive  men's  words,  with  an  implicit  faith  ? 
A.  No :  believe  not  every  spirit,  but  try  the  spirits.  1  John 

iv.  1. 

5.  Q.  But,  must  we  receive  God's  word,  with  an  implicit 
faith! 

Ax.  Yes  :  for  every  word  of  God  is  pure.  Prov.  xxx.  5. 
G.   Q.  Must  we  receive  it  with  love  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  have  esteemed  the  words  of  his  mouth  more  than 
my  necessary  food.  Job  xxiii.  12. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  remember  the  word  we  read  and  hear] 
A.   Yes  :  lest,  at  any  time,  we  let  it  slip.  Heb.  ii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  lay  it  up  in  our  hearts  > 

A.  Yes  :  thy  word  have  I  hid  in  my  heart.  Ps.  cxix.  11. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  meditate  on  it  ? 

A.  Yes  :  in  that  law  doth  he  meditate  day  and  night.  Ps.  i.  2. 

4.  ).  Must  we  practice  it  in  our  lives'? 

Ji.  Yes :  be  ye  doers  of  the  word,  and  not  hearers  only. 
James  i.  22. 

5.  Q.  Will  it  suffice  to  hear,  though  we  do  not  practice  1 

A.  No:  if  ye  know  these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do  them. 
John  xiii.  17. 

XCI.   Q.  How  do  the  sacraments  become  ef- 
fectiial  means  of  salvation  ? 

Jl.  The  sacraments  become  effectual  means 
of  salvation,  not  from  any  virtue  in  them,  or  in 
him  that  doth  administer  them  ;  but  only  by  the 
blessing  of  Christ,  and  the  working  of  his  Spirit 
in  them  that  by  faith  receive  them. 
§i. 

1.    Q.  Do  the  sacraments  certainly  save  all  that  partake  of 
them  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  189 

A.  No :  they  who  were  rejected  of  Christ  could  say,  we  have 
eaten  and  drunk  in  thy  presence.  Luke  xiii.  26. 

2.  Q-  Are  they,  then,  effectual,  by  any  virtue,  in  themselves? 
A.  No :  for  bodily  exercise  profiteth  little.  1  Tim.  iv.  8. 

3.  Q.  Do  they,  of  themselves,  confer  grace  1 

A.  No :  for  if  thou  be  a  breaker  of  the  lav/,  thy  circumcision 
is  made  uncircumcision.  Rom.  ii.  25. 

4.  Q.  Is  the  thing  signified  of  greater  consequence  than  the 
sign1? 

A.  Yes:  for  circumcision  is  that  of  the  heart,  in  the  spirit, 
and  not  in  the  letter.  Rom.  ii.  29. 
§n. 

1.  0.  Does  the  efficacy  of  the  sacraments  depend  upon  the 
minister  1 

A.  No  :  for,  who  is  Paul,  and  who  is  Apollos,  but  ministers 
by  whom  ye  believed  1   1  Cor.  hi.  5. 

2.  Q.  Does  the  goodness  of  the  minister  invigorate  the  sacra- 
ment? 

A.  No  :  for  Philip  baptized  Simon,  who  yet  was  in  the  gall 
of  bitterness.  Acts  viii.  13,23. 

3.  Q.  Does  the  badness  of  the  minister  invalidate  the  sacra- 
ment ? 

A.  No :  for  Judas  was  numbered  with  us,  and  obtained  part 
of  this  ministry.  Acts  i.  17. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Does  the  efficacy  of  sacraments  depend  upon  the  bless- 
ing of  Christ  1 

A.  Yes :  lo,  I  am  with  you  ahvay.  Matt,  xxviii. 

2.  Q.  And  upon  the  working  of  the  Spirit  1 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  the  Spirit  that  quickeneth.  John  vi.  63. 

3»  Q.  And  are  they  effectual  to  those  only  who  by  faith  re- 
ceive them  1 ' 

A..  Yes:  he  that  beleveth  and  is  baptize:!,  shall  be  saved. 
Mark  xvi.  1 5, 

XCII.   Q.  What  is  a  sacrament  ? 

A-  A  sacrament  is  an  holy  ordinance  institu- 
ted by  Christ ;  wherein,  by  sensible  signs,  Christ, 
and  the  benefits  of  the  new  covenant,  are  repre- 
sented, sealed,  and  applied  to  believers. 

§r. 

1.  Q.  Is  a  sacrament  a  holy  ordinance  ? 


190  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  for  we  minister  about  holy  things.   1  Cor.  ix.  13. 

2.  Q.  Must  they,  therefore,  be  holy  that  attend  them] 

A.  Yes :  be  ye  clean  that  bear  the  vessels  of  the  Lord.  Is. 
lii.  11. 

3.  Q.  Are  sacraments  instituted  by  Christ  ? 

A.  Yes  :  the  Lord  himself  shall  give  you  a  sign.  Isa.  vii.  14. 

4.  Q.  May  men  institute  sacraments  ? 

A.  No :  Jeroboam,  that  ordained  a  feast  which  he  had  de- 
vised of  his  own  heart,  sinned,  and  made  Israel  to  sin.  1  Kings 
xii.  33. 

§u. 

1.  Q.  Is  there,  in  a  sacrament,  an  outward  and  visible  sign  ? 
A.  Yes  :  behold  the  blood  of  the  covenant.  Exod,  xxiv.  8. 

2.  Q.  Is  there  an  inward  and  spiritual  grace  ] 
A.  Yes:  for  that  rock  was  Christ.  I  Cor.  x.  4. 

3.  Q.  Are  outward  signs  of  use  to  inform  our  understanding  ? 
A.  Yes :  for,  in  them,  Christ  is  evidently  set  forth  crucified 

among  us.  Gal.  iii.  1 . 

4.  Q.  Are  they  of  use  to  refresh  our  memories  ] 

A.  Yes :  these  stones  shall  be  for  a  memorial.  Josh.  iv.  7. 

5.  Q.  And  to  stir  up  our  affections  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  shall  look  on  him  whom  they  have  pierced, 
and  mourn.  Zech.  xii.  10. 

6.  Q.  Are  they  of  use  to  transmit  the  things  of  God  from 
generation  to  generation  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  your  children  shall  ask  you,  what  mean  you  by 
this  service  ]  Exod.  xii.  26. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  a  sacrament  a  seal] 

A.  Yes :  circumcision  was  a  seal  of  the  righteousness  which 
is  by  faith.  Rom.  iv.  11. 

2.  Q.  A  seal  of  the  covenant] 

A.  Yes :  he  gave  him  the  covenant  of  circumcision.  Acts 
vii.  8. 

3.  Q.  Is  a  sacrament  an  oath  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  entered  into  an  oath  to  walk  in  God's  law. 
Neh.  x.  29. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  an  encouragement  to  our  faith  ] 

A.  Yes :  reach  hither  thy  hand,  and  thrust  it  into  my  side, 
and  be  not  faithless,  but  believing.  John  xx.  27. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  an  engagement  to  obedience  ] 

A.  Yes:  that  henceforth  we  should  not  serve  sin.  Rom.  vi.  6. 

6.  Q.  Is  Christ  applied  to  us  in  sacraments  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  191 

A.  Yes:  as  many  of  you  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ, 
have  put  on  Christ.  Gal.  iii.  27. 

7.  Q.  Are  the  benefits  of  the  new  covenant  applied  to  us  ? 

A.  Yes:  to  be  a  God  to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee. 
Gen.  xvii.  7. 

XCIII.  Q.  Which  are  the  sacraments  of  the 

New  Testament  ? 

A.  The  sacraments  of  the  New  Testament 
are.  Baptism,  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

1 .  Q.  Were  there  sacraments  in  innocency  1 

A.  Yes :  the  tree  of  life  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  and  the 
tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil.  Gen.  ii.  9* 

2.  Q-  Were  there  sacraments  under  the  law  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  law  had  a  shadow  of  good  things  to  come. 
Heb.  x.  1. 

3.  Q.  Was  circumcision  a  sacrament  1 

A.  Yes:  he  received  the  sign  of  circumcision.  Rom.  iv.  11. 

4.  Q.  Was  the  passover  a  sacrament  ? 

A.  Yes :  Christ  our  passover  is  sacrificed  for  us.  1  Cor.  v.  7. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Have  we  sacraments  now,  under  the  gospel? 

A.  Yes  :  for  unto  us  was  the  gospel  preached,  as  well  as  uuto 
ihem.  Heb.  iv.  2, 

2.  Q.  Are  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  our  two  sacra- 
ments ] 

A.  Yes :  for  we  are  baptized  into  one  body,  and  all  drink 
into  one  spirit.  1  Cor.  xii.  13. 

3.  Q.  May  men  add  any  more  sacraments  ? 

A.  No :  add  thou  not  unto  his  words,  lest  he  reprove  thee. 
Prov.  xxx.  6. 

XCIV.   Q.  What  is  Baptism  ? 

•d.  Baptism  is  a  sacrament,  wherein  the  wash- 
ing with  water  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  doth  signify 
and  seal  our  ingrafting  into  Christ,  and  partak- 
ing of  the  benefits  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  and 
our  engagement  to  be  the  Lord's. 

§i. 

1.   Q.  Is  washing  with  water  the  outward  6ign  in  Baptism  ? 


192  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes  :  I  am  come  baptizing  with  water.  John  L  31. 

2.  Q.  Is  that  well  done  by  sprinkling  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  so  shall  he  sprinkle  many  nations.  Isa.  Hi.  15; 
Ezek.  xxxvi.  25. 

3.  Q.  Is  that  sign  significant  ] 

A.  Yes:  if  ye  are  washed,  ye  are  sanctified,  ye  are  justified. 
1  Cor.  vi.  11. 

4.  Q.  But,  is  the  outward  sign  alone  sufficient? 

A.  No :  baptism  saves  us,  not  as  it  is  the  putting  away  the 
filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  toward 
God*  1  Pet.  iii.  21. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Must  Baptism  be  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost? 

A.  Yes :  go  vet  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Matt,  xxviii.  19^ 

2.  Q.  And  not  in  the  minister's  name  ? 

A.  No:  were  ye  baptized  in  the  name  of  Paul  ?  1  Cor.  i.  13. 

3.  Q.  Is  it,  therefore,  one  1 

A.  Yes :  for  there  is  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism.  Ephes. 
iv.  5. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Is  Baptism  a  door  of  admission  into  the  visible  church  ? 
A.  Yes  :  there  were  added  to  the  church  daily.  Acts  ii.  47. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  thereby  entered  into  Christ's  school  ? 

A.  Yes:  Jesus  made  and  baptized  disciples.  John  iv.  1. 

3.  Q.  And  listed  under  his  banner  1 

A.  Yes:  as  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ.  2  Tim.  ii.  3. 
§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Is  Baptism  a  seal  of  our  ingrafting  into  Christ  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  being  baptized  into  Jesus  Christ,  we  are  baptized 
into  his  death.  Rom.  vi.  3. 

2.  Q.  And  of  our  partaking  of  the  benefits  of  the  new  cove- 
nant 1 

A.  Yes  :  be  baptized  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall 
receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Acts  u.  38. 

3.  Q.  And  of  our  engagement  to  be  the  Lord's? 

A.  Yes  :  I  entered  into  a  covenant  with  thee,  saith  the  Lord 
God,  and  thou  becamest  mine.  Ezek.  xvi.  8. 

4.  Q.  Is  the  covenant  sealed  in  the  Baptism,  a  mutual  cove- 
nant] 

A.  Yes  :  ye  shall  be  my  people,  and  I  will  be  your  God.  Jer. 
xxx.  22. 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  215 

5.   Q.  And  for  the  supply  of  the  poor  and  needy  ? 
A.  Yes :  that  he  will  abundantly  bless  our  provision,  and 
satisfy  our  poor  with  bread.  Ps.  cxxxii.  15. 

CV.  Q.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  fifth 
petition? 

A.  In  the  fifth  petition  (which  is,  Jlnd  for- 
give us  our  debts  as  roe  forgive  our  debtors,) 
we  pray  that  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  would  freely 
pardon  all  our  sins ;  which  we  are  the  rather 
encouraged  to  ask,  because  by  his  grace  we  are 
enabled  from  the  heart  to  forgive  others. 

§  i. 

1.  Q.  Are  our  sins  our  debts  to  God  1 

A.  Yes :  there  was  a  certain  creditor  that  had  two  debtors, 
&.c.     Luke  vii.  41. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  great  debts  ? 

A.  Yes :  ten  thousand  talents.  Matt,  xviii.  24. 

3.  Q.  Can  we  discharge  these  debts  ourselves  1 
A.  No :  we  have  nothing  to  pay.  Luke  vii.  42. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  liable  to  the  prison  of  Hell  then  ? 

A.  Yes  :  not  to  depart  thence  till  we  have  paid  the  last  mite. 
Luke  xii.  58,  59. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  possible  to  obtain  the  forgiveness  of  this  debt  1 
A.  Yes:  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee.  Ps.  cxxx. 4. 

ii. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  forgiveness  of  these  sins  ? 

A.  Yes:  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant,  O  Lord. 
Pe.cxliii.  2. 

2.  Q.  And  to  pray  earnestly  for  if? 

A.  Yes  :  for  tby  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mine  iniquity. 
Ps.  xxv.  11. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  plead  God's  mercies  1 

A.  Yes :  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies 
blot  out  ray  transgressions.  Ps.  Ii.  1. 

4.  Q.  And  Christ's  merits  } 

A.  Yes :  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus.  Rom.  iii.  24. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  it  every  day  1 

A.  Yes:  when  we  pray,  give  us  our  daily  bread,  we  must 
pray,  forgive  us  our  debts. 


216  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§  III. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  God  would  ease  us  of  the  burthen 
of  sin  r* 

A.  Yes :  take  away  all  iniquity.  Hos.  xiv.  2. 

2.  Q.  And  that  he  would  cleanse  us  from  the  filth  of  sin? 
A.  Yes :  wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity.  Ps.  li.  2. 

3.  Q.  And  cure  us  of  the  wounds  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  heal  my  soul,  for  I  have  sinned  against  thee.  Ps. 
xli.  4. 

4.  Q.  And  save  us  from  the  punishment  of  sin  1 

A.  Yes:  I  will  say  unto  God, do  not  condemn  me.  Job  x.2. 

§iv. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  to  God  to  give  us  that  grace  which  will 
qualify  us  for  pardon  ] 

A .  Yes :  for  Christ  is  exalted  to  give  repentance  and  remis- 
sion. Acts  v.  31. 

2.  Q.  And  that  he  would  give  us  the  comfort  of  our  pardon ! 
A.  Yes:  make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness.  Ps.  li.  8. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we,  in  order  hereunto,  be  particular  in  con- 
fessing sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  declare  that  thou  may  est  be  justified.  Is.  xliii.  26. 

§T. 

1 .  Q.  Must  we  forgive  those  who  have  provoked  us  1 

A.  Yes:  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another, 
if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any.  Col.  iii.  13. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  bear  them  no  malice  ] 

A.  No :  grudge  not  one  against  another,  brethren,  lest  ye  be 
condemned.  James  v.  9. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  be  ready  to  be  reconciled  to  them  1 

A.  Yes :  when  ye  stand  praying,  forgive  if  ye  have  aught 
against  any.  Mark  xi.  25. 

4.  Q.  Should  we  be  merciful  to  those  that  we  have  advan- 
tage against  ? 

A.  Yes :  thou  shouldst  have  had  compassion  on  thy  fellow- 
servant,  as  I  had  pity  on  thee.  Matt,  xviii.  33. 

5.  Q.  Is  this  required  to  qualify  us  for  the  pardon  of  sin  1 
A.  Yes :  if  ye  forgive  men  their  trespasses,  your  heavenly 

Father  will  also  forgive  you.  Matt.  vi.  14. 

6.  Q.  Will  God  forgive  those  that  do  not  forgive  } 

A.  No:  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  neithe*  will 
your  Father  forgive  yours.  Matt.  vi.  15. 

CVI.  Q.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  sixth 

petition  ? 


SC1UPTURE    CATECHISM.  213 

3.  Q.  Do  they  do  it  zealously  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  are  a  flaming  fire.  Ps.  civ.  4. 

4.  Q.  Do  they  do  it  with  an  eye  to  God  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  always   behold  the  face  of  our   Father. 
Matt,  xviii.  10. 

5.  Q.  And  are  we  to  pray  that  God's  will  may  so  be  done  on 
earth  1 

A.  Yes:  that  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  may  become  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ.  Rev.  xi.  15. 

CIV.  Q.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  fourth 
petition  ? 

A.  In  the  fourth  petition  (which  is,  Give  us 
this  day  our  daily  bread,)  we  pray,  that  of  God's 
free  gift  we  may  receive  a  competent  portion  of 
the  good  things  of  this  life,  and  enjoy  his  bless- 
ings with  them. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  good  things  of  this  life  1 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  Lord  is  for  the  body.   1  Cor.  vi.  13. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  go  to  God  for  them  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  he  giveth  to  all  life  and  breath,  and  all  things. 
Acts  xvii.  25. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  go  to  him  for  the  comfort  of  them? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  gives  us  richly  all  things  to  enjoy.  1  Tim.- 
vi.  17. 

4.  Q.  Do  we  deserve  the  good  things  of  this  life  ? 

A.  No:  we  are  less  than  the  least  of  all  God's  mercies. 
Gen.  xxxii.  10. 

5.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  beg  them  of  God  as  a  free  gift  1 

A.  Yes :  God  gives  thee  the  dew  of  Heaven.  Gen.  xxvii.  28. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  riches  ? 

A.  No :  lest  we  be  full,  and  say,  who  is  the  Lord  ]  Prov. 
xxx.  9. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  dainties  1 

A.  No:  be  not  desirous  of  dainties,  for  they  are  deceitful 
meat.  Prov.  xxiii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  be  content  with  such  a  competent  portion 
of  these  things  as  God  sees  fit  for  us ! 


214  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A .  Yes :  having  food  and  raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  con- 
tent. 1  Tim.  vi.  8. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  that  1 

A.  Yes  :  feed  me  with  food  convenient  for  me.  Prov.  xxx.  8. 

5.  Q.  And  need  we  desire  any  more  1 

A.  I\o:  if  God  will  be  with  me  and  keep  me  in  the  way  that 
I  go,  and  will  give  me  bread  to  eat,  and  raiment  to  put  on,  so 
that  I  come  to  my  Heavenly  Father's  house  in  peace,  then  the 
Lord  shall  be  my  God.  Gen.  xxviii.  20,  21. 
§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  each  day  for  the  bread  of  the  day  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of 
itself.  Matt.  vi.  34. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  for  our  bread  honestly  gotten  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  with  quietness  we  must  work  and  eat  our  own 
bread.  2  Thess.  iii.  12. 

3.  Q.  And  have  we  encouragement  to  pray  for  this  1 

A.  Yes:  for  godliness  hath  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now 
is.  1  Tim.  iv.  8. 

§iv. 

1.  Q.  Do  we  herein  pray  for  health  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  God  is  our  life,  and  the  length  of  our  days. 
Deut,  xxx.  20. 

2.  Q.  And  for  success  in  our  callings  1 

A.  Yes :  establish  thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us.  Ps. 
xc.  17. 

2.   Q.  And  for  sleep  2 

A.  Yes  :  for  so  he  giveth  his  beloved  sleep.  Ps.  exxvii.  2 

4.  Q.  And  for  seasonable  weather  ? 

A.  Yes:  ask  ye  of  the  Lord  rain.  Zech.  x.  1. 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  God's  blessing  on  what  we  have  1 
A.  Yes :  for  man  liveth  not  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every 

word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  Matt.  iv.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  is  it  then  comfortable  to  us  1 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  sanctified  by  the  word  of  God  and  prayer. 
1  Tim.  iv.  5. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  pray  most  earnestly  for  bread  for  our  souls  T 
A.  Yes :  Lord,  evermore  give  us  that  bread.  John  vi.  34. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  other's  prosperity,  as  well  as  for 
our  own  1 

A.  Yes :  I  wish  that  thou  mayest  prosper,  and  be  in  health, 
even  as  thy  soul  prospereth.  3  John  2. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  203 

2.   Q.  And  must  we  give  thanks  for  mercies  received  1 
A.  Yes  :  enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving.  Ps.  c.  4. 

§  TI. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  he  constant  in  prayer? 

A.  Yes:  I  give  myself  unto  prayer.  Ps.  cix.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  humble  in  prayer  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  are  but  dust  and  ashes.  Gen.  xviii.  27. 

3.  Q.  And  earnest  in  prayer  ? 

A.  Yes:  always  labouring  fervently  in  prayer.  Col.  iv.  12. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  in  sincerity,  set  God  before  us,  in  prayer  1 
A.  Yes :  let  us  draw  near,  with  a  true  heart.  Heb.  x.  22. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  pray  in  charity  1 

A.  Yes :  lifting  up  pure  hands,  without  wrath.  1  Tim.  ii.  8. 

§  VII. 

1 .  Q.  Will  God  hear  and  accept  those  who  thus  pray  to  him  \ 
A.  Yes :  he  never  said  to  the  seed  of  Jacob,  seek  ye  me  hi 

vain.  Isa.  xlv.  1 9. 

2.  Q.  But  will  the  love  of  sin  spoil  the  success  of  prayer  1 
A.  Yes:  if  I  regard  iniquity  in  my  heart,  God  will  not  hear 

me.  Ps.  lxvi.  18. 

XCIX.  Q.  What  rule  hath  God  given  for  o in- 
direction in  prayer? 

A.  The  whole  word  of  God  is  of  use  to  di- 
rect us  in  prayer  ;  but  the  special  rule  of  direc- 
tion is  that  form  of  prayer  which  Christ  taught 
his  disciples,  commonly  called  u  The  Lord's 
Prayer." 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Do  we  need  direction  in  prayer  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we 
ought.  Rom.  viii.  28. 

2.  Q.  Should  we  pray  to  God  for  direction  ? 
A.  Yes  :  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray.  Luke  xi.  1. 

3.  Q.  Hath  he  given  us  direction  in  prayer  1 

A.  Yes :  take  with  you  words  and  turn  to  the  Lord.  Hos, 
xiv.  2. 

§  n. 
1.   Q.  Is  the  whole  word  of  God  of  use  to  direct  us  ? 
A.  Yes :  I  will  shew  thee  that  which  is  noted  in  the  scripture 
of  truth.  Dan.  x.  21,  compared  with  2  Chron.  ix.  22. 


204  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

#  2.   Q.  Is  the  Lord's  prayer  to  be  used  as  a  directory  for  prayer  ? 
A.  Yes :  after  this  manner,  therefore  pray  ye.  Matt.  vi.  9. 
3.   Q.  And  is  it  to  be  used,  as  a  form  of  prayer  ! 
A.  Yes:  when  ye  pray,  say,  Our  Father.  Luke  xi.  2. 

C.  Q.  What  doth  the  preface  of  the  Lord's 
prayer  teach  us  ? 

Ji.  The  preface  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  (which 
is,  Our  Father  which  art  in  Heaven,)  teacheth 
us  to  draw  near  to  God  with  all  holy  reverence 
and  confidence,  as  children  to  a  father,  able  and 
ready  to  help  us  ;  and  that  we  should  pray  with 
and  for  others. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  our  Father  ? 

A.  Yes:  doubtless  thou  art  our  Father.  Isa.  Ixiii.  16. 

2.  Q.  Does  he  appoint  us  to  call  him  so  ? 

A.  Yes :  wilt  thou  not  from  this  time,  cry  unto  me,  My  Fa- 
ther, thou  art  the  guide  of  my  youth  ?  Jer.  iii.  4. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  our  Father  by  creation  1 

A.  Yes :  have  we  not  all  one  Father  1  Hath  not  one  God 
created  us?  Mai.  ii.  10. 

4.  Q.  And  by  redemption  ? 

A.  Yes:  is  not  he  thy  Father  that  bought  thee?  Deut.xxxii.  6. 

5.  Q.  And  by  adoption  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  will  be  a  Father  to  them.  2  Cor.  vi.  18. 
§n. 

1.  Q.  Is  God  a  wise  Father  1 

A.  Yes:  the  Father  of  lights.  James  i.  17. 

2.  Q.  Is  he  a  gracious  Father  ? 

A.  Yes :  the  Father  of  mercies.  2  Cor.  i.  3. 

3.  Q.  Is  he  our  soul's  Father  1 

A.  Yes :  the  Father  of  spirits.  Heb.  xii.  9. 

4.  Q.  Is  he  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ? 

A.  Yeis :  I  bow  my  knee  to  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Ephes.  iii.  14. 

5.  Q.  Is  he,  in  him,  our  Father  1 

A.  Yes :  I  ascend  to  my  Father,  and  your  Father.  John 
xx.  17. 

§  ur. 
1 .  Q.  Are  we  in  prayer,  to  call  God  Father  1 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  201 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Do  those  who  wilfully  resolve  to  continue  in  sin  re- 
ceive unworthily? 

A.  Yes :  for  what  hast  thou  to  do  to  take  my  covenant  in 
thy  mouth,  seeing  thou  hatest  instruction  ?  Ps.  1.  16,  17. 

2.  Q.  And  do  those  receive  unworthily  who  have  no  regard 
to  Christ  in  what  they  do  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  they  say  the  table  of  the  Lord  is  contemptible. 
Mai.  i.  7. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  that  do  so  guilty  of  a  great  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  they  are  guilty  ef  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord. 
1  Cor.  xi.  27. 

4.  Q.  And  are  they  in  great  danger  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  they  eat  and  drink  judgment  to  themselves.  1 
Cor.  xi.  29. 

5.  Q.  But  shall  weak  believers,  who  bewail  their  unworth- 
ness,  he  encouraged  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  will  not  break  the  bruised  reed.  Matt.  xii.  20. 

XCVIII.   Q.  What  is  prayer  ? 

A.  Prayer  is  an  offering  up  of  our  desires  un- 
to God,  for  things  agreeable  to  his  will,  in  the 
name  of  Christ,  with  confession  of  our  sins,  and 
thankful  acknowledgment  of  his  mercies. 
§  i. 

1 .  Q.  Is  it  every  one's  duty  to  pray  ? 

A.  Yes:  men  ought  always  to  pray.  Luke  xviii.  1. 

2.  Q.  Can  a  man  be  a  good  man,  who  lives  without  prayer? 
A.  No:  every  one  that  is  godly  shall  pray.  Ps.  xxxii.  6. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  daily  ? 

A.  Yes :  morning,  and  evening,  and  at  noon,  will  I  pray. 
Ps.  lv.  17. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  continually  ? 

A.  Yes:  pray,  without  ceasing.   1  Thess.  v.  17. 

5.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  in  secret  1 

A.  Yes :  thou,  when  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and 
shut  thy  door.  Matt.  vi.  6. 

6.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray,  when  we  are  in  affliction  ? 

A.  Yes :  is  any  among  you  afflicted  ?  Let  him  pray.  James 
v.  13. 

1,  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  to  God  only  ? 


202  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  for  He  only  knows  the  hearts  of  all  the  children  of 
men.   1  Kings  viii.  39. 

2.  Q.  May  we  pray  to  departed  saints  to  pray  for  us  > 
A.  No  :  for  Abraham  is  ignorant  of  us.  Isa.  Ixiii.  1G. 

3.  Q.  Is  prayer  the  soul's  ascent  to  God  1 

A.  Yes  :  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul.  Ps.  xxv.  1. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  the  souPs  converse  with  God  ? 

A*  Yes  :  pour  out  your  hearts  before  him.  Ps.  Ixii.  8. 

5.  Q.  Are  we,  in  prayer,  to  ascribe  glory  to  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  give  unto  the  Lord  glory  and  strength.  1  Chron. 
xvi.  28. 

6.  Q.  And  to  ask  mercy  of  God  1 

A.  Yes:  ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you;  seek,  and  ye  shall 
find.  Matt.  vii.  7. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  to  God  for  things  agreeable  to  his  will? 
A.  Yes  :  if  we  ask  anything  according  to  his  will,  he  heareth 

us.  1  John  v.  14. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  pardoning  mercy  and  sanctifying 
grace  ? 

A.  Yes:  let  us  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we 
may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need.  Heb. 
iv.  16. 

3.  Q.  Are  God's  promises  to  be  the  guide  of  our  desires  in 
prayer  1 

A.  Yes:  remember  thy  word  unto  thy  servant.  Ps.  cxix.  49. 

4.  Q.  And  the  ground  of  our  faith? 

A.  Yes:  for  I  hope  in  thy  word.  Ps.  cxix.  81. 
§IT. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  in  the  name  of  Christ  } 

A.  Yes :  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will  I 
do.  John  xiv.  13. 

2.  Q.  Relying  on  his  righteousness  alone  1 

A.  Yes :  for  we  have  boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the 
Mood  of  Jesus.  Heb.  x.  19. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  pray  in  faith  ? 

A.  Yes:  let  him  ask  in  faith,  nothing  wavering.  James  i.  .6 

4.  Q.  Depending  on  the  assistance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  1 

A.  Yes:  for  the  Spirit  helpeth  our  infirmities.  Rom.  viii.  26. 

§  v. 
1 .   Q.  Must  we,  in  prayer,  make  confession  of  sin  1 
A.  Yes :  I  prayed  to  the  Lord  my  God,  and  made  my  con- 
fession. Dan.  ix.  4. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  199 

ly  partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  that  they  ex- 
amine themselves  of  their  knowledge  to  discern 
the  Lord's  body,  of  their  faith  to  feed  upon  him, 
of  their  repentance,  love,  and  new  obedience; 
lest,  coming  unworthily,  they  eat  and  drink  judg- 
ment to  themselves. 

1.  Q.  Are  the  ignorant  to  be  admitted  to  the  Lord's  Supper  ! 
A.  No:  for  they  discern  not  the  Lord's  body.  1  Cor.  xi.  29. 

2.  Q.  Are  those  to  be  admitted  to  it  who  are  openly  pro- 
fane ] 

A.  No :  for  what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial  ?  2  Cor. 
vi.  15. 

3.  Q.  But  must  all  visible  adult  believers  be  admitted  to  it? 
A.  Yes :  all  the  congregation  of  Israel  shall  keep  the  pass- 
over.  Exod.  xii.  47. 

§  ii. 

1.  Q.  Must  those  who  come  to  the  Lord's  Supper  prepare 
for  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  we  must  prepare  our  heart  to  seek  God,  the  Lord 
God  of  our  Fathers.  2  Chron.  xiii.  18. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  put  away  every  sin  1 

A.  Yes  :  purge  out  the  old  leaven.  1  Cor.  v.  7. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  cleanse  ourselves  from  all  pollutions  1 
A.  Yes  :  I  will  wash  my  hands  in  innocency,  so  will  I  com- 
pass thine  altar,  O  Lord.  Ps.  xxvi.  6. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  sequester  ourselves  from  the  world  ? 

A.  Yes :  tarry  ye  here,  while  I  go  yonder  and  worship.  Gen. 
xxii.  5. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  apply  ourselves  seriously  to  this  service  ? 
A.  Yes:  we  must  engage  the  heart  to  approach  unto  God. 

Jer.  xxx.  21. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  When  we  come  to  this  ordinance,  must  we  examine 
ourselves  ? 

A.  Yes  :  let  a  man  examine  himself,  and  so   let  him  eat  of 
that  bread  and  drink  of  that  cup.  1  Cor.  xi.  28. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  examine  our  spiritual  state  1 

A.  Yes:  examine  yourselves,  whether  ye  be  in  the  faith.  2 
Cor.  xiii.  5. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  examine  our  particular  ways  1 


200  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  let  us  search  and  try  our  ways.  Sam.  iii.  40. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  renew  our  repentance  for  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  if  we  would  judge  ourselves,  we  should  not  be 
judged.  1  Cor.  xi.  31. 

5.  Q.  And  our  faith  in  Christ  crucified  1 

A.  Yes :  who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me.  Gal.  ii.  20. 

6.  Q.  Must  we  steadfastly  purpose  to  lead  a  new  life  ? 

A.   Yes :  I  have  sworn,  and  I  will  perform  it,  that  I  will  keep 
thy  righteous  judgments.  Ps.  cxix.  106. 

7.  Q.  And  must  we  be  in  charity  with  all  men  ? 

A.  Yes :  first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come 
and  offer  thy  gift.  Matt.  v.  24. 

8.  O.  And  must  we  stir  up  desires  towards  Christ  1 
A.  Yes:  let  him  that  is  athirst  come.  Rev.  xxii.  17. 

§  iv. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  receive  this  sacrament,  with  great  reverence  ? 
A.  Yes  :  in  thy  fear  will  I  worship  towards  thy  holy  temple. 

Ps.v.  7. 

2.  Q.  And  with  fixedness  of  thought  ? 

A.  Yes  :  bind  the  sacrifice  with  cords  unto  the  horns  of  the 
altar.  Ps.  cxviii.  27. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  receive  it  with  godly  sorrow  for  sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  shall  look  on  me  whom  they  have  pierced  and 
mourn.  Zech.  xii.  10. 

4.  Q.  And  with  holy  joy  in  the  Lord  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  did  eat  their  meat  with  gladness,  praising  God. 
Acts  ii.  46,  47. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  receive  it  with  an  affectionate  remembrance 
of  the  love  of  Christ  > 

A.  Yes :  we  will  remember  thy  love  more  than  wine.  Song 
of  Solomon  i.  4. 

6.  Q.  And  with  an  earnest  desire  of  mercy  from  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  Ps.  cxvi.  13. 

1.  Q.  Must  those  who  have  received  this  sacrament  be  very 
watchful  against  all  sin  1 

Ji.  Yes :  He  will  speak  peace  to  his  people,  and  to  his  saints, 
but  let  them  not  turn  again  to  folly.    Ps.  lxxxv.  8. 

2.  Q.  Must  they  abound  in  all  duty  1 

A.  Yes  :  I  will  pay  my  vows  unto  the  Lord.  Ps.  cxvi.  14. 

3.  Q.  And  must  they  ever  preserve  a  sense  of  their  engage- 
ments 1 

A.  Yes  :  thy  vows  are  upon  me,  O  God.  Ps.  lvi.  13. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  187 

A.  Yes:  for  bread  strengthens  man's  heart    Ps.  civ.  15. 

3.  Q.  Is  the  cup  to  be  used  in  this  sacrament  1 

A.  Yes :  He  took  the  cup  when  he  had  supped.  1  Cor.  xi. 
25. 

4.  Q.  Does  that  signify  it  to  be  a  refreshing  ordinance  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  wine  makes  glad  the  heart.  Ps.  civ.  15. 

5.  Q.  Must  these  be  given  and  received  1 

A.  Yes :  Jesus  took  bread,  and  gave  to  them, — took  the  cup, 
and  gave  it  to  them.  Mark  xiv.  22,  23. 

6.  Q.  Are  the  people  to  partake  of  the  cup] 
A.  Yes:  drink  ye  all  of  it.  Matt.  xxvi.  27. 

7.  Q.  Is  this  ordinance  doubled  ? 

A.  Yes :  'because  the  thing  is  established.  Gen.  xli.  32. 
§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Does  the  bread  signify  the  body  of  Christ  1 

A .  Yes :  this  is  my  body  which  is  broken  for  you.  1  Cor. 
xi.  24. 

2.  Q.  Does  the  wine  signify  the  blood  of  Christ  7 

A.  Yes  :  this  cup  is  the  New  Testament  in  my  blood.  Luke 
xxii.  20. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  turned  into  the  very  body  and  blood  of  Christ  ? 
A.  No  :  for  it  is  the  spirit  that  quickens,  the  flesh  profits 

nothing.  John  vi.  63. 

4.  Q.  But  is  the  doctrine  of  Christ  crucified  meat  and  drink 
to  a  believing  soul  ? 

A.  Yes  :  My  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink  in- 
deed. John  vi.  55. 

5.  Q.  And  are  we  to  feed  upon  that  doctrine  1 

A.  Yes :  he  that  eatcth  me,  even  he  shall  live  by  me.  John 
vi.  57. 

$•  IV. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  Lord's  Supper  a  commemorating  ordinance? 
A.  Yes:  do  this  in  remembrance  of  me.  Luke  xxii.  19. 

2.  Q.  Is  it  a  confessing  ordinance  1 

A.  Yes :  ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death.   1  Cor.  xi.  26. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  communicating  ordinance  1 

A.  Yes :  the  cup  of  blessing  which  we  bless,  is  it  not  the 
eommunion  of  the  blood  of  Christ !  And  the  bread  which  we 
break,  is  it  not  the  communion  of  the  body  of  Christ  ?  1  Cor. 
x.  16. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  covenanting  ordinance  ] 

A.  Yes  :  for  it  is  the  New  Testament.  1  Cor.  xi.  25. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  a  confirming  ordinance  ? 


19S  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  for  Christ,  in  it,  is  evidently  set  forth.  Gal.  hi.  1. 
6.   Q.  Is  it  an  ordinance  of  communion  with  all  Christians  ? 
A.  Yes:  for  we  have  been  all  made  to  drink  into  one  spirit. 
I  Cor.  xii.  13. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  pardon  of  sin  sealed  to  believers  in  this  sacra- 
ment ?  . 

A.  Yes:  it  is   the  blood  of  the  New  Testament,  which  is 
shed  for  many  for  the  remission  of  sins.  Matt.  xxvi.  28. 

2.  Q.  Is  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  sealed  to  them? 
A.  Yes :  receive  ye  the  Holy  Ghost.  John  xx.  22. 

3.  Q.  Is  the  promise  of  eternal  life  sealed  to  them] 

A.  Yes :  that  ye  may  eat  and  drink  at  my  table  in  my  king- 
dom. Luke  xxii.  30 ;  and  Matt.  xxvi.  28. 

4.  Q.  Do  we,  by  receiving  this  sacrament,  bind  ourselves  out 
from  all  sin  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  we  reckon  ourselves  to  be  dead  indeed  unto  sin. 
Rom.  vi.  11. 

5.  Q.  And  do  we  bind  ourselves  up  to  all  duty  1 

A.  Yes :  for,  being  made  free  from  sin,  we  become  the  ser- 
vants of  righteousness.  Rom.  vi.  18. 
§  vi. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  Lord's  Supper  a  spiritual  feast? 

A.  Yes :  a  feast  of  fat  things,  of  wines  on   the  lees.  Isa. 
xxv.  6. 

2.  Q-  Is  it  a  marriage  feast  ] 

A .  Yes  :  a  certain  king  made  a  marriage  for  his  son.  Matt, 
xxii.  2. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  a  feast  upon  a  sacrifice  ] 

A.  Yes  :  Christ  is  sacrificed  for  us :  Let  us  keep  the  feast. 
1  Cor.  v.  7.  8. 

4.  Q.  Is  it  a  feast  upon  a  covenant  ] 

A.  Yes:  as   Isaac  made  a  feast  for  Abimelech  when  they 
sware  one  to  another.  Gen.  xxvi.  30,  31. 

5.  Q.  Are  all  good  Christians  invited  to  this  feast  ? 

A.  Yes  :  come  ;  for  all  things  are  now  ready.  Luke  xiv.  17. 

0.   Q.  Are  they  often  to  partake  of  it] 

A.  Yes :  as  often  as  ye  cat  this  bread.  1  Cor.  xi.  26. 

XCVII.  Q.  What  is  required  to  the  worthy 
receiving  of  the  Lord's  Supper? 

A.  It  is  required  of  them  that  would  worthi- 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  211 

A.  Yes :  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace, 
Luke  ii.  29. 

6.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  Christ's  second  coming  at  the  end 
of  time  ? 

A.  Yes :  Amen,  even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus.  Rev.  xxii.  20. 

CIII.  Q.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  third 
petition? 

S.  In  the  third  petition  (which  is,  Thy  anil 
be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven})  we  pray, 
that  God  by  his  grace,  would  make  us  able  and 
willing  to  know,  obey,  and  submit  to  his  will  in 
all  things,  as  the  angels  do  in  Heaven. 

§i. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  will  of  God's  commands  the  rule  of  our  action? 
A,  Yes :  we  must  understand  what  the  will  of  the  Lord  is. 

Ephes.  v.  1 7. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  that  we  may  conform  to  this  rule  1 

A.  Yes :  that  we  may  prove  what  is  the  good,  and  accepta- 
ble, and  perfect  will  of  God.  Rom.  xii.  2. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  God  would  give  us  to  know  his  will  ? 
A.  Yes :  give  me  understanding,  and  I  will  keep  thy  law. 

Ps.  cxix.  34. 

4.  Q.  And  to  know  it  fully  1 

A.  Yes :  that  ye  may  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  his 
will.  Col.  i.  9. 

5.  Q.  And  to  know  it,  in  doubtful  cases  > 

A.  Yes  :  teach  me  thy  way,  O  Lord,  lead  me  in  a  plain 
path.  Ps.  xxvii.  11. 

6.  Q.  Do  all  who  are  sanctified  truly  desire  to  know  God's 
will! 

A.  Yes  :  what  saith  my  Lord  unto  his  servant  1  Josh.  v.  14. 

§u. 

1.  Q.  When  we  know  God's  will,  are  we  able,  of  ourselves. 
to  do  it  ? 

A.  No:  we  are  not  sufficient,  of  ourselves.  2  Cor.  iii.  5. 

2.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  pray  to  God  to  make  us  able  ? 

A.  Yes  :  now,  therefore,  O  God,  strengthen  my  hands.  Neh. 
vi.  9. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  depend  upon  his  grace1? 


212  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  I   will  go  in  the   strength  of  the  Lord  God.  Ps. 
lxxi.  16. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  pray  to  God  to  make  us  willing  ? 

A.  Yes  :  incline  my  heart  unto  thy  testimonies.  Ps.  cxix.  36. 

5.  Q.  And  to  make  us  entirely  willing  ] 

A.  Yes:  unite  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name.  Ps.  lxxxvi.  11. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  we  may  be  sincere  in  our  obedience  ? 
A.  Yes  :  let  my  heart  be  sound  in  thy  statutes.  Ps.  cxix.  80. 

2.  Q.  And  that  we  may  be  exact  in  our  obedience  1 

A.  Yes :  O  that  my  ways  were  directed  to  keep  thy  com- 
mandments !  Ps.  cxix.  5. 

3.  Q.  And  that  we  may  be  universal  in  our  obedience  1 

A.  Yes:  that  we  may  stand  complete  in  all  the  will  of  God. 
Gol.  iv.  12. 

4.  Q.  And  that  we  may  be  armed  against  that  which  would 
divert  us  from  our  obedience  ? 

A.  Yes:  turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity,  and 
quicken  thou  me  in  thy  way.  Ps.  cxix.  37. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  that  others  also  may  do  God's  will  ? 
A.  Yes  :  that  they  may  be  perfect  in  every  good  work  to  do 

his  will.  Heb.  xiii.  21. 

§  iv. 

1 .  Q.  Is  the  will  of  God's  counsel  the  rule  of  his  actions  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  he  worketh  all  according  to  the  counsel  of  hi* 

own  will.  Ephes.  i.  1 1 . 

2.  Q.  Must  we  desire  that  this  may  be  done  1 

A.  Yes :  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.  Acts.  xxi.  14. 

3.  Q.  Rather  than  our  own  will  ] 

A.  Yes  :  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt.  Matt.  xxvi.  39. 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  acquiesce  in  it  1 

A.  Yes :  it  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good. 
1  Sam.  hi.  18. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  that  he  will  enable  us  to  do  so  ? 
A.  Yes  :  that  we  may  be  strengthened  with  all  might,  unto 

all  patience  and  long-suffering,  with  joyfulness.  Col.  i.  11. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Do  the  angels  in  Heaven  do  the  will  of  God? 

A.  Yes :  they  do  his  commandments,  hearkening  to  the  voice 
of  his  word.  Ps.  ciii.  20. 

2.  Q.  Do  they  do  it  readily  > 

A.  Yes:  they  fly  swiftly.  Dan.  ix.  21. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  209 

2.  Q.  And  that  it  shall  be  destroyed  in  the  world  ? 

Jl.  Yes  :  for,  I   beheld  Satan  as   lightning  fall  from  Heaven. 
Luke  x.  18. 

3.  Q.  So  destroyed  that  it  shall  not  destroy  the  church  1 

Jl.  Yes :  for  the  church  is  built  upon  a  rock,  and  the  gates  of 
Hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it.  Matt.  xvi.  18. 

§   IT. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  kingdom  of  Christ  our  Father's  kingdom  ? 

A.  Yes  :  I   have   set   my  king  upon  my   holy  hill  of  Zion, 
Ps.  ii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  that  may  be  advanced? 

A.  Yes :    prayer   shall   be  made  for   him  continually.  Ps. 
lxxii.  15. 

3.  Q.  That  we  and  others  may  be  brought  into  it  ? 

A.  Yes:  that  Christ  may  dwell  in  your  heart  by  faith.  Ephes. 
iii.  17.  „ 

4.  Q.  And  kept  in  it? 

A.  Yea:  that  we  may  be  preserved  blameless  to  the  coming 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  Thess.  v.  23. 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  converting  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  turn  thou  me  and  I  shall  be  turned.  Jer.  xxxi.  18. 

2.  Q.  And  that  others  may  partake  of  that  grace  ? 

A.  Yes:  that  sinners  may  be  converted  unto  thee.  Ps.  Ii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  confirming  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  God  would  comfort  your  hearts,  and  establish 
you  in  every  good  word  and  work.  2  Thess.  ii.  1 7. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  strengthening  of  faith  ? 
A.  Yes :  Lord  increase  our  faith.  Luke  xvii.  5. 

5.  Q.  And  the  increase  of  love  ? 

A.  Yes :  this  I  pray,  that  your  love  may  abound  yet  more 
and  more.  Philipp.  i.  9. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
lights? 

A.  Yes :  O  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth.    Ps.  xliii.  3. 

2.  Q.  And  the  kingdom  of  holiness? 

A,  Yes:  the  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly.  1  Thess.  v.  23. 

3.  Q.  And  the  kingdom  of  love  ? 

A.  Yes:  that  they  all  may  be  one.  John  xvii.  21. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  the  sending  forth  of  ministers  in  or- 
der hereunto  > 

10* 


210  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  that  he  would  send 
forth  labourers  unto  his  harvest.  Matt.  ix.  3S. 
5.   Q.  And  for  the  presence  of  God  with  them  1 
A.  Yes  :  that  utterance  may  be  given  to  them.  Ephes.  vi.  19. 

§  VII. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  prosperity  of  the  church  1 
A.  Yes:  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem.  Ps.  cxxii.  6. 

2.  Q.  And  for  the  welfare  of  all  who  belong  to  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  let  all  those  that  seek  thee  rejoice  and  be  glad  in 
thee.  Ps.  lxx.  4. 

3.  Q.  And  for  the  comfort  of  all  good  christians  ] 

A.  Yes :  grace  be  with  all  them  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  sincerity.  Ephes.  vi.  24. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  the  enlargement  of  the  church  } 

A.  Yes:  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  for  Israel,  is 
that  they  may  be  saved.  Rom.  x.  1. 

5.  Q.  And  for  the  reformation  of  it  ? 

A.  Yes  :  turn  us  again,  O  Lord  God  of  Hosts.  Ps.lxxx.  19. 

6.  Q.  And  for  the  defence  of  it] 

A,  Yes  :  build  thou  the  walls  of  Jerusalem.  Ps.  li.  18. 

7.  Q.  And  for  the  deliverance  of  it  ] 

A.  Yes  :  command  deliverance  for  Jacob.  Ps.  xliv.  4. 

§  VIII. 

1.  Q.  May  we  pray  in  faith  for  the  advancement  and  con- 
tinuance of  Christ's  kingdom. 

A.  Yes :  for  of  the  increase  of  his  government  and  peace 
there  shall  be  no  end.  Isa.  ix.  7. 

2.  Q.  And  have  we  reason  to  triumph  in  this  ? 

A.  Yes :  hallelujah,  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth. 
Rev.  xix.  6. 

§ix. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  kingdom  of  glory  yet  to  come  ] 

A.  Yes :  when  the  mystery  of  God  shall  be  finished.  Rev.  x.  7. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  that  that  may  be  hastened  1 

A.  Yes  :  looking  for  and  hastening  unto  the  coming  of  the 
day  of  God.  2  Pet.  hi.  12. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  desire  our  own  removal  to  that  glory  at  death? 
A.  Yes  :  desiring  to  be  clothed  upon  with  our  house  which 

is  from  Heaven.  2  Cor.  v.  2. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  that  we  may  be  ready  for  it } 

A.  Yes :  watch,  therefore,  and  pray  always.  Luke  xxi.  36. 

5.  Q.  And  then  that  it  may  be  hastened  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  209 

2.  Q.  And  that  it  shall  be  destroyed  in  the  world  > 

A.  Yes:  for.  I  beheld  Satan  as   lightning  fall  from  Heaven. 
Luke  x.  18. 

3.  Q.  So  destroyed  that  it  shall  not  destroy  the  church  1 

A.  Yes :  for  the  church  is  built  upon  a  rock,  and  the  gates  of 
Hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it.  Matt.  xvi.  18. 

§  it. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  kingdom  of  Christ  our  Father's  kingdom? 

A.  Yes  :  I   have   set   my  king  upon  my  holy  hill  of  Zion. 
Ps.  ii.  6. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  that  may  be  advanced  ? 

A.  Yes:    prayer   shall   be  made  for   him  continually.  Ps. 
lxxii.  15. 

3.  Q.  That  we  and  others  may  be  brought  into  it  ? 

A.  Yes :  that  Christ  may  dwell  in  your  heart  by  faith.  Ephes. 
iii,  17. 

4.  Q.  And  kept  in  it  7 

A.  Yes:  that  we  may  be  preserved  blameless  to  the  coming 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  Thess.  v.  23. 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  converting  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  turn  thou  me  and  I  shall  be  turned.  Jer.  xxxi.  IS. 

2.  Q.  And  that  others  may  partake  of  that  grace  1 

A.  Yes:  that  sinners  may  be  converted  unto  thee.  Ps.  Ii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  confirming  grace  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  God  would  comfort  your  hearts,  and  establish 
you  in  every  good  word  and  work.  2  Thess.  ii.  1 7. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  strengthening  of  faith  ? 
A.  Yes :  Lord  increase  our  faith.  Luke  xvii.  5. 

5.  Q.  And  the  increase  of  love  1 

A.  Yes :  this  I  pray,  that  your  love  may  abound  yet  more 
and  more.  Philipp.  i.  9. 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
light] 

A.  Yes:  O  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth.    Ps.  xliii.  3, 

2.  Q.  And  the  kingdom  of  holiness? 

A.  Yes:  the  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly.  1  Thess.  v.  23. 

3.  Q.  And  the  kingdom  of  love  ? 

A.  Yes:  that  they  all  may  be  one.  John  xvii.  21. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  the  sending  forth  of  ministers  in  or- 
der hereunto  ? 

10* 


210  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  that  ho  would  send 
forth  labourers  unto  his  harvest.  Matt.  ix.  38. 
5.   Q.  And  for  the  presence  of  God  with  them  1 
A.  Yes :  that  utterance  may  be  given  to  them.  Ephes.  vi.  19. 

§  tii. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  prosperity  of  the  church  1 
A.  Yes:  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem.  Ps.  cxxii.  6. 

2.  Q.  And  for  the  welfare  of  all  who  belong  to  it  > 

A.  Yes:  let  all  those  that  seek  thee  rejoice  and  be  glad  in 
thee.  Ps.  lxx.  4. 

3.  Q.  And  for  the  comfort  of  all  good  christians  1 

A.  Yes:  grace  be  with  all  them  that  love   our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  sincerity.  Ephes.  vi.  24. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  the  enlargement  of  the  church? 

A.  Yes:  my  heart's  desire   and  prayer  to  (rod  for  Israel,  is 
that  they  may  be  saved.  Rom.  x.  1. 

5.  Q.  And  for  the  reformation  of  it  ? 

.4.  Yes  :  turn  us  again,  O  Lord  God  of  Hosts.  Ps.lxxx.  19. 

6.  Q.  And  for  the  defence  of  it  ? 

A,  Yes  :  build  thou  the  walls  of  Jerusalem.  Ps.  li.  18. 

T.   Q.  And  for  the  deliverance  of  it  1 

A.  Yes:  command  deliverance  for  Jacob.  Ps.  xiiv.  4. 

§  vi  ir. 

1.  Q.  May  we  pray  in  faith  for  the  advancement  and  con- 
tinuance of  Christ's  kingdom. 

A.  Yes :  for  of  the  increase  of  his  government  and  pear* 
there  shall  be  no  end.  Isa.  ix.  7. 

2.  Q.  And  have  we  reason  to  triumph  in  this ? 

.2.  Yes :  hallelujah,  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reignerh. 
Rev.  xix.  6. 

§ix. 

1 .  Q.  Is  the  kingdom  of  glory  yet  to  come  ! 

.?.  Yes :  when  the  mystery  of  God  shall  be  finished.  Rex.  x.  7. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  that  that  may  be  hastened  ! 

Jl.  Yes  :  looking  for  and  hastening  unto  the  coming  of  th<* 
day  of  God.  2  Pet.  hi.  12. 

3.  Q.  Are  we  to  desire  our  own  removal  to  that  glory  at  death? 
.  1.  Yes  :  desiring  to  be  clothed  upon  with  our  house  which 

is  from  Heaven.  2  Cor.  v.  2. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  that  we  may  be  ready  for  it  ? 

Jl.  Yes :  watch,  therefore,  and  pray  always.  Luke  xxi.  36. 
b.   Q.  And  then  that  it  may  be  hastened! 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  211 

Jt.  Yes :  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace. 
Luke  ii.  29. 

6.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  Christ's  second  coming  at  the  end 
of  time  ? 

A.  Yes:  Amen,  even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus.  Rev.  xxii.  20* 

CIII.  Q.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  third 
petition? 

Jl.  In  the  third  petition  (which  is,  Thy  will 
be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven.)  we  pray, 
that  God  by  his  grace,  would  make  us  able  and 
willing  to  know,  obey,  and  submit  to  his  will  in 
y.11  things,  as  the  angels  do  in  Heaven. 

§  i. 

1.  Q.  Is  the  will  of  God's  commands  the  rule  of  our  action? 
A,  Yes:  we  must  understand  what  the  will  of  the  Lord  vs. 

Ephes.  v.  1 7. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  that  we  may  conform  to  this  rule  ? 

-i.  Yes :  that  we  may  prove  what  is  the  good,  and  accepta- 
ble, and  perfect  will  of  God.  Rom.  xii.  2. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  God  would  give  us  to  know  his  will  ? 
A,  Yes :  give  me  understanding,  and  I  will  keep  thy  law. 

Ps.  cxix.  34. 

4.  Q.  And  to  know  it  fully  1 

A.  Yes  :  that  ye  may  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  Ms 
will.  Col.i.9. 

5.  Q.  And  to  know  it,  in  doubtful  cases  ? 

A.  Yes  :  teach  me  thy  way,  0  Lord,  lead  me  in  a  plain 
path.  Ps.  xxvii.  11. 

6.  Q.  Do  all  who  are  sanctified  truly  desire  to  know  God's 
will  1 

A.  Yes  :  what  saith  my  Lord  unto  his  servant?  Josh.  v.  14. 

§11. 

1.  Q.  When  we  know  God's  will,  are  we  able,  of  ourselves, 
to  do  it  ? 

.4.  No:  we  are  not  rnfficient,  of  ourselves.  2  Cor.  hi.  5. 

2.  Q.  Must  we,  the  <: ore.  pray  to  God  to  make  us  able? 

A.  Yes  :  now,  therefore,  0  God,  strengthen  my  hands.  Nelu 
vi.  9. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we  depend  upon  his  grace  ] 


212  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes:  I   will  go  in  the   strength  of  the  Lord  God.  Ps. 
lxxi.  16. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  pray  to  God  to  make  us  willing? 

A.  Yes  :  incline  my  heart  unto  thy  testimonies.  Ps.  cxix.  36. 

5.  Q.  And  to  make  us  entirely  willing  1 

A.  Yes:  unite  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name.  Ps.  lxxxvi.  11. 

§iu. 

1 .  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  we  may  be  sincere  in  our  obedience  1 
A.  Yes  :  let  my  heart  be  sound  in  thy  statutes.  Ps.  cxix.  80. 

2.  Q.  And  that  we  may  be  exact  in  our  obedience  1 

A.  Yes :  O  that  my  ways  were  directed  to  keep  thy  com- 
mandments !  Ps.  cxix.  5. 

3.  Q.  And  that  we  may  be  universal  in  our  obedience  ] 

A.  Yes :  that  we  may  stand  complete  in  all  the  will  of  God. 
Col.  iv.  12. 

4.  Q.  And  that  we  may  be  armed  against  that  which  would 
divert  us  from  our  obedience  ? 

A.  Yes :  turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity,  and 
quicken  thou  me  in  thy  way.  Ps.  cxix.  37. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  that  others  also  may  do  God's  will? 
A.  Yes  :  that  they  may  be  perfect  in  every  good  work  to  do 

his  will.  Heb.  xiii.  21. 

§  iv. 

1 .  Q.  Is  the  will  of  God's  counsel  the  rule  of  his  actions  1 
A.  Yes :  for  he  worketh  all  according  to  the  counsel  of  hi* 

own  will.  Ephes.  ill. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  desire  that  this  may  be  done  1 

A.  Yes :  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.  Acts.  xxi.  14. 

3.  Q.  Rather  than  our  own  will  ] 

A.  Yes  :  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt.  Matt.  xxvi.  39. 

4.  Q.  And  must  we  acquiesce  in  it  1 

A.  Yes  :  it  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good, 
1  Sam.  hi.  18. 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  that  he  will  enable  us  to  do  so  ? 
A.  Yes :  that  we  may  be  strengthened  with  all  might,  unto 

all  patience  and  long-sulFering,  with  joyfulness.  Col.  i.  11. 

$r, 

1.  Q.  Do  the  angels  in  Heaven  do  the  will  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes :  they  do  his  commandments,  hearkening  to  the  voice 
of  his  word.  Ps.  ciii.  20. 

2.  Q.  Do  they  do  it  readily  ? 

A.  Yes:  they  fly  swiftly.  Dan.  ix.  21. 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  213 

3.  O.  Do  they  do  it  zealously  > 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  are  a  flaming  fire.  Ps.  civ.  4. 

4.  Q.  Do  they  do  it  with  an  eye  to  God  1 

A.  Yes  :  for  they  always   behold  the  face  of  our  Father. 
Matt,  xviii.  10. 

5.  Q.  And  are  we  to  pray  that  God's  will  may  so  be  done  on 
earth  ? 

A.  Yes :  that  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  may  become  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ.  Eev.  xi.  15. 

CIV.  Q.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  fourth 
petition  ? 

A.  In  the  fourth  petition  (which  is,  Give  us 
this  day  our  daily  bread.)  we  pray,  that  of  God's 
free  gilt  we  may  receive  a  competent  portion  of 
ihe  good  things  of  this  life,  and  enjoy  his  bless- 
ings with  them. 

§i. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  good  things  of  this  life  1 
A.  Yes  :  for  the  Lord  is  for  the  body.   1  Cor.  vi.  13. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  go  to  God  for  them  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  he  giveth  to  all  life  and  breath,  and  all  things. 
Acts  xvii.  25. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  go  to  him  for  the  comfort  of  them  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  he  gives  us  richlv  all  things  to  enjoy.  1  Tim. 
vi.  17. 

4.  Q.  Do  we  deserve  the  good  things  of  this  life  ? 

A.  No:  we  are  less  than  the  least  of  all  God's  mercies. 
Gen.  xxxii.  10. 

5.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  beg  them  of  God  as  a  free  gift  1 

A.  Yes:  God  gives  thee  the  dew  of  Heaven.  Gen.  xxvii.  28. 

§ii. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  riches  > 

*     A.  No :  lest  we  be  full,  and  say,  who  is  the  Lord  1  Prov. 
xxx.  9. 

2.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  dainties  1 

A.  No:  be  not  desirous  of  dainties,  for  they  are  deceitful 
meat.  Prov.  xxiii.  3. 

3.  Q.  Are  wc  to  be  content  with  such  a  competent  portion 
of  these  things  as  God  sees  fit  for  us  ] 


214  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  having  food  and  raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  con- 
tent. 1  Tim.  vi.  8. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  that  ? 

A.  Yes  :  feed  me  with  food  convenient  for  me.  Prov.  xxx,  8. 

5.  Q.  And  need  we  desire  any  more? 

A.  No:  if  God  will  be  with  me  and  keep  me  in  the  way  that 
I  go,  and  will  give  me  bread  to  eat,  and  raiment  to  put  on,  .so 
that  I  come  to  my  Heavenly  Father's  house  in  peace,  then  the 
Lord  shall  be  my  God.  Gen.  xxviii.  20,  21. 
§  in. 

1 .  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  each  day  for  the  bread  of  the  day  ? 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of 
itself.  Matt.  vi.  34. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  for  our  bread  honestly  gotten  \ 

A.  Yes  :  for  with  quietness  we  must  work  and  eat  our  ovrn 
bread.  2  Thess.  iii.  12. 

3.  Q.  And  have  we  encouragement  to  pray  for  this  t 

A.  Yes:  for  godliness  hath  the   promise  of  the  life  that  now 
is.  1  Tim.  iv.  8. 

§iv. 

1 .  Q.  Do  we  herein  pray  for  health  ? 

A.  Yes:  for  God  is  our  life,  and  the  length  of  our  days. 
Deut.  xxx.  20. 

2.  Q.  And  for  success  in  our  callings  ? 

A.  Yes :  establish  thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us.  Ps. 
xc.  17. 

2.   Q.  And  for  sleep  1 

A.  Yes :  for  so  he  giveth  his  beloved  sleep.  Ps.  cxxvii.  2 

4.  Q.  And  for  seasonable  weather  ?  , 
A.  Yes:  ask  ye  of  the  Lord  rain.  Zech.  x.  1. 

§T. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  God's  blessing  on  what  we  have  1 
A.  Yes  :  for  man  liveth  not  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every 

word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  Matt.  iv.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  is  it  then  comfortable  to  us  ] 

A.  Yes :  for  it  is  sanctified  by  the  word  of  God  and  prayer. 
1  Tim.  iv.  5. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  pray  most  earnestly  for  bread  for  our  souls  1 
A.  Yes :  Lord,  evermore  give  us  that  bread.  John  vi.  34. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  other's  prosperity,  as  well  as  for 
our  own  1 

A.  Yes:  I  wish  that  thou  mayest  prosper,  and  be  in  health, 
even  as  thy  soul  prospereth.  3  John  2. 


SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM.  215 

5.   Q.  And  for  the  supply  of  the  poor  and  needy  ? 
A.  Yes :  that  he  will  abundantly  bless  our  provision,  and 
satisfy  our  poor  with  bread.  Ps.  cxxxii.  15. 

CVr.    Q.   What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  fifth 
petition? 

•a?.  In  the  fifth  petition  (which  is,  And  for- 
give us  onr  debts  as  we  forgive  our  debtors,) 
we  pray  that  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  would  freely 
pardon  all  our  sins ;  which  we  are  the  rather 
encouraged  to  ask,  because  by  his  grace  we  are 
enabled  from  the  heart  to  forgive  others. 
§  i. 

1.  Q.  Are  our  sins  our  debts  to  God  1 

A.  Yes :  there  was  a  certain  creditor  that  had  two  debtors. 
&c.     Luke  vii.  41. 

2.  Q.  Are  they  great  debts  ? 

A.  Yes:  ten  thousand  talents.  Matt,  xviii.  24. 

3.  Q.  Can  we  discharge  these  debts  ourselves  ? 
A.  No :  we  have  nothing  to  pay.  Luke  vii.  42. 

4.  Q.  Are  we  liable  to  the  prison  of  Hell  then  ? 

A.  Yes  :  not  to  depart  thence  till  we  have  paid  the  last  mite. 
Luke  xii.  58,  59. 

5.  Q.  Is  it  possible  to  obtain  the  forgiveness  of  this  debt  1 
A .  Yes :  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee.  Ps.  exxx.  4. 

ii. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  to  pray  for  the  forgiveness  of  these  sins? 

A.  Yes:  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant,  O  Lord. 
Ps.cxliii.2. 

2.  Q.  And  to  pray  earnestly  for  it ! 

A.  Yes  :  for  tby  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mine  iniquity. 

PS.  XXV.  11. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  plead  God's  mercies? 

A.  Yes :  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies 
Irtot  out  my  transgressions.  Ps.  Ii.  1. 

4.  Q.  And  Christ's  merits  ? 

A.  Yes:  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus.  Rom.iii.  24. 

5.  Q.  Must  we  pray  for  it  every  day  ] 

A.  Yes:  when  we  pray,  give  us  our  daily  bread,  we  must 
pray,  forgive  us  our  debts. 


216  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  God  would  case  us  of  the  burthen 
of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  take  away  all  iniquity.  Hos.  xiv.  2. 

2.  Q.  And  that  he  would  cleanse  us  from  the  filth  of  sin? 
A.  Yes :  wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity.  Ps.  li.  2. 

3.  Q.  And  cure  us  of  the  wounds  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  heal  my  soul,  for  I  have  sinned  against  thee.  Pe. 
xli.  4. 

4.  Q.  And  save  us  from  the  punishment  of  sin  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  will  say  unto  God,  do  not  condemn  me.  Job  x.  2. 

§iv. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  to  God  to  give  us  that  grace  which  will 
qualify  us  for  pardon  ? 

A.  Yes :  for  Christ  is  exalted  to  give  repentance  and  remis- 
sion. Acts  v.  31. 

2.  Q.  And  that  he  would  give  us  the  comfort  of  our  pardon  ? 
A.  Yes:  make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness.  Ps.li.  8. 

3.  Q.  And  must  we,  in  order  hereunto,  be  particular  in  con- 
fessing sin  ? 

A.  Yes:  declare  that  thou  mayest be  justified.  Is.  xliii.  26. 
§v. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  forgive  those  who  have  provoked  us  ? 

A.  Yes :  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another, 
if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any.  Col.  hi.  13. 

2.  Q.  Must  we  bear  them  no  malice  1 

A.  No :  grudge  not  one  against  another,  brethren,  lest  ye  be 
condemned.  James  v.  9. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  be  ready  to  be  reconciled  to  them  ] 

A.  Yes :  when  ye  stand  praying,  forgive  if  ye  have  aught 
against  any.  Mark  xi.  25. 

4.  Q.  Should  we  be  merciful  to  those  that  we  have  advan- 
tage against  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  shouldst  have  had  compassion  on  thy  folio w- 
servant,  as  I  had  pity  on  thee.  Matt,  xviii.  33. 

5.  Q.  Is  this  required  to  qualify  us  for  the  pardon  of  sin  1 
A.  Yes :  if  ye  forgive  men  their  trespasses,  your  heavenly 

Father  will  also  forgive  you.  Matt.  vi.  14. 

6.  Q.  Will  God  forgive  those  that  do  not  forgive? 

A.  No:  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  neither  will 
your  Father  forgive  yours.  Matt.  vi.  15. 

CVI.  Q.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  sixth 
petition  ? 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  2 17 

A.  In  the  sixth  petition  (which  is,  And  lead 
us  not  into  temptation  J)ut  deliver  us  from 
evil,)  we  pray  that  God  would  either  keep  us 
from  being  tempted  to  sin,  or  support  and  deliv- 
er us  when  we  are  tempted. 
§1. 

1 .  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  we  may  not  be  tempted  ? 

A.  Yes:  watch  and  pray  that  ye  enter  not  into  temptation. 
Matt.xxvi.  41. 

2.  Q.  And  that  temptations  may  be  removed  1 

A.  Yes  :  I  besought  the  Lord  thrice  that  it  might  depart  from 
me.  2Cor.xii.8. 

3.  Q.  And  that  we  may  not  be  overcome  by  them? 

A.  Yes:  let  no  iniquity  have  dominion  over  me.  Ps.  cxix. 
133. 

§n. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  God  would  not  leave  us  to  our- 
selves  ? 

A.  Yes:  incline  not  my  heart  to  any  evil  thing.  Ps.  cxli.  4„ 

2.  Q.  And  that  he  would  not  withdraw  the  assistance  of  his 
grace? 

A.  Yes  :  take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  away  from  me.  Ps.  li.  11. 

3.  0.  But  that  he  would  strengthen  us  against  every  temp- 
tation \ 

A.  Yes:  uphold  me  with  thy  free  spirit.  Ps.  li.  12. 

4.  Q.  And  that  he  would  preserve  us  through  it  1 
A.  Yes :  that  our  faith  fail  not.  Luke.  xxii.  32. 

5.  Q.  Have  we  encouragement  to  pray  against  temptation  ? 
A.  Yes :  for  God  is  faithful,  who  will  not  suffer  us  to  be 

tempted  above  what  we  are  able.  1  Cor.  x.  13. 

6.  Q.  And  is  prayer  a  part  of  our  spiritual  armor  ? 
A.  Yes:  Praying  always.  Ephes.  vi.  13,  18. 

§  in. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  dread  sin  as  the  worst  evil  1 

A.  Yes :  that  I  should  be  afraid  and  do  so  and  sin.  Nell 
<?i.  13. 

2.  Q.  And  must  we  pray  to  be  kept  from  it  ? 

A .  Yes :  to  be  delivered  from  every  evil  work.     2  Tim.  iv.  18. 

3.  Q.  And  from  all  occasions  of  it  ? 

A.  Yes:  turn  away  mine  eyes  from  boholding  vanity.  Ps. 
<xix,  37. 

11 


218  SCRIPTURE  CATECHISM. 

§IT, 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  against  pride  ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  he  may  hide  pride  from  man.  Job  xxxiii.  17. 

2.  Q.  And  against  lying  1 

A.  Yes  :  remove  from  me  the  way  of  lying.  Ps.  cxix.  29. 

3.  Q.  And  against  sensuality  ] 

A.  Yes  :  let  me  not  eat  of  their  dainties.  Ps.  cxli.  4. 

4.  Q.  And  against  uncleanness  r* 

A.  Yes  :  create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God.  Ps.  li.  10. 

5.  Q.  And  against  covetousness  ! 

A .  Yes :  incline  my  heart  to  thy  testimonies,  and  not  to 
t-ovetousness.  Ps.  cxix.  36. 

6.  Q.  And  against  all  tongue  sins  ] 

A.  Yes:  set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before  the  door  of  my  mouth, 
keep  the  door  of  my  lips.  Ps.  cxli.  3. 

7.  Q.  Must  we  pray  especially  against  wilful  sin  1 

A.  Yes :  keep  back  thy  servant  from  presumptuous  sin?. 
Ps.  xix.  13. 

8.  Q.  Must  we  pray  that  others  also  may  be  kept  from  sin  ! 
A.  Yes  :  I  pray  to  God  that  ye  do  no  evil.  2  Cor.  xiii.  7. 

§v. 

1.  Q.  Must  we  pray  to  be  delivered  from  other  evil  ? 

A.  Yes :  keep  me  from  evil  that  it  may  not  grieve  me.  1 
Chron.  iv.  10. 

2.  Q.  Must  our  eye  be  to  God  for  our  preservation  ? 

A.  Yes:  hide  me  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings.  Ps.  xvii.  8. 

3.  Q.  May  we  take  encouragement  in  this  prayer  from  God's 
power  1 

A.  Yes :  for  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  we  have  commit- 
ted to  him.  2  Tim.  i.  12. 

4.  Q.  And  from  his  promise  1 

A.  Yes:  there  shall  no  evil  befall  thee.  Ps.  xci.  10. 

5.  Q.  And  from  our  own  experience  > 

A.  Yes:  he  that  has  delivered,  does  deliver,  in  whom  we 
trust  that  he  will  yet  deliver.  2  Cor.  i.  10. 

CVII.  Q.  What  doth  the  conclusion  of  the 
Lord's  Prayer  teach  us? 

Ji.  The  conclusion  of  the  Lord's  Prayer 
(which  is,  For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the 
power,  and  the  glory  forever,  rfmen,)  teacheth 
us  to  take  our  encouragement  in  prayer  from 


SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM.  219 

God  only,  and  in  our  prayers  to  praise  him, 
ascribing  kingdom,  power,  and  glory  to  him. 
And  in  testimony  of  our  desire,  and  assurance 
to  be  heard,  we  say,  Amen. 

§r. 

1.  Q.  Are  we  in  prayer  to  plead  with  God  ? 

A.  Yes:  I  would  order  my  cause  before  him,  and  fill  mv 
mouth  with  arguments.  Job.  xxiii.  4. 

2.  Q.  Are  our  pleadings  to  move  God  ? 

A.  No :  for  he  is  in  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him  ? 
.lob.  xxiii.  13. 

3.  Q.  Are  they  to  move  ourselves ? 

A.  Yes  :  that  we  may  stir  up  ourselves  to  take  hold  on  God. 
Fsau  lxiv.  7. 

§u. 

1.  Q.  Can  we,  in  prayer,  plead  any  merit  of  our  own  ? 

A.  No  :  we  do  not  present  our  supplications  before  thro  for 
our  righteousness.  Dan.  ix.  18. 

2.  Q.  Must  we,  therefore,  take  our  encouragement  from  God 
only  ? 

A.  Yes:  defer  not,  for  thine  own  sake,  O  my  God.  Dan.  ix. 
19. 

3.  Q.  And  must  wc  depend  on  that  encouragement  ? 

A.  Yes:  now,  Lord,  what  wait  I  fori  My  hope  is  in  thee. 
Ps.  xxxix.  7. 

§  in. 

1 .   Q.  May  we  plead  that  his  is  the  kingdom  ? 

A.  Yes:  art  not  thou  God  in  heaven?  and  rulest  not  thou 
over  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  heathen?  2.  Chron.  xx.  6. 

2   Q.  And  that  his  is  the  power  ? 

A.  Yes  :  there  is  nothing  too  hard  for  thee.  Jer.  xxxii.  17. 

3.   Q.  And  that  his  is  the  glory  ? 

A.  Yes:  help  us,  O  God  of  our  salvation,  for  the  glory  of 
th)'  name.  Ps.  Ixxix.  9. 

§  IV. 

1.  Q.  May  we  also  plead  his  mercy  ? 

A.  Yes  :  save  me  for  thy  mercy's  sake,  Ps.  vi.  4. 

2.  Q.  And  his  promise  ? 

A.  Yes:  remember  thy  word  unto  thy  servant.  Ps.  cxix.  49. 

3.  Q.  And  our  own  experience  of  his  goodness? 


220  SCRIPTURE    CATECHISM. 

A.  Yes :  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death :  wilt  thou 
not  deliver  my  feet  from  falling  ?  Ps.  lvi.  13. 

4.  Q.  But  must  we  especially  plead  the  mediation  of  his  son? 
A.  Yes:  look  upon  the  face  of  thine  anointefl.  Ps.  lxxxiv.  9. 

5.  Q.  And  may  we  hope  to  prevail  in  these  pleadings  } 

A.  Yes  :  for  the  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
Availeth  much.  James,  v.  16. 

6.  Q.  Is  it  God's  grace  in  us  which  alone  qualifies  us  for  his 
iavour  ? 

A.  Yes:  thou  wilt  prepare  their  heart,  and  then  thou  wilt 
vause  thine  ear  to  hear.  Ps.  x.  17. 
§v. 

I.   Q.  Are  we,  in  prayer,  to  praise  God  ? 

A.  Yes  :  every  day  will  I  bless  thee.  Ps.  cxlv.  2. 

2*   Q.  Are  we  to  ascribe  kingdom,  power  and  glory  to  him  ! 

A.  Yes  :  blessing,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power,  be  un- 
ite him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne.  Rev.  v.  13. 

3.  Q.  Must  we  acknowledge  them  to  be  his  > 

A.  Yes :  thine,  O  Lord,  is  the  greatness,  and  the  power,  and 
She  glory,  and  the  victory,  and  the  majesty.  1.  Chron-  xxix.  1 1. 

4.  Q.  Must  we  acknowledge  them  to  be  his  forever  ? 

A.  Yes :  thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom.  Ps.  cxlv.  13, 

5.  Q.  And  must  we  desire  to  be  forever  praising  him  ? 

A.  Yes :  I  will  sing  praise  to  my  God  while  I  have  my  being. 
Ps.  civ.  33. 

6.  Q.  Is  the  work  of  praise  good  work  ? 

A .  Yes  :  It  is  pleasant,  and  praise  is  comely.  Ps.  exlvii.  I . 

§  VI. 

1.  Q.  Does  Amen  signify  our  desire  to  be  heard? 
A.  Yes :  so  be  it,  O  Lord.  Jer.  xi.  5. 

2.  Q.  And  our  hope  that  we  shall  be  heard  1 

A.  Yes :  we  know  that  we  have  the  petitions  that  we  desired 
•of  him.  1  John  v.  15. 

3.  Q.  Is  it,  therefore,  proper  to  conclude  our  prayers  and 
praises  with  Amen  1 

A.  Yes:  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen,  Hallelujah!  Ps.  cvi.  48 


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